Be Quick!

Okay, time for another Ju-Ju-Be blog. As Christmas approaches I’m always on the look out for neat gifts and fun stocking stuffers and the Ju-Ju-Be BeQuick fits the bill perfectly. This functional, multi-purpose, and of course beautiful little accessory would make a great Christmas or baby shower gift for any mom (or child). It’s the perfect size to help organize larger bags (like in the picture of my BFF) or it can be a bag in its own right, and it’s available in all the gorgeous Ju-Ju-Be prints. It comes with a little strap that can either clip onto other bags or a stroller or it can serve as a wristlet strap to carry the quick. There’s a small zippered pocket on the inside as well, perfect for holding all kinds of things. Ju-Ju-Be BeQuicks have all kinds of uses, but let me highlight a few of my favourites to give you some ideas.


1. Diaper changes: This is probably my favourite and most often use for a BeQuick. I can fit a cover, insert (usually a prefold), Ju-Ju-Be BeLight change pad, cream, wipes and a wetbag in a quick. That way when I’m away from home and need to change Emma’s diaper I can just grab the BeQuick and it has everything I might need. It’s also very handy if someone else takes Emma out for a trip; they know they can just take the diaper BeQuick and it has everything they’ll need.








2. Spare clothes: I always have a BeQuick in my purse with spare clothes in it. I can easily fit a pair of pants, shirt, onesie, sweater, socks and bib in a BeQuick with room to spare.

3. Car toys: I keep a BeQuick with toys especially for the car. That way Emma isn’t bored of the toys and when we’re going out I can just grab the BeQuick. Of course, half the fun for her is taking all the toys out, but at the end of the car trip I can put them all back in and it’s ready for the next time.

4. Breast pump: A BeQuick is the perfect size to hold my Medela Harmony breast pump and two spare medela bottles. It keeps everything together and because the BeQuick is machine washable (like all Ju-Ju-Be) I can make sure it stays clean.

5. Sling/wrap: Okay, I can’t get my ergo in a BeQuick (though I’ve tried), but I can get my ring sling or a woven wrap in one. I got tired of either packing my sling at the bottom of my diaper bag and then having to unpack everything to get it, or packing it on top and having to take it out to get at everything else. It’s so handy to be able to pack my sling in a BeQuick and then I can clip it onto my purse or other bag.

6. Nighttime diaper/clothes: Whenever we’re going to be out in the evening and I know we’ll be putting the girls in pj’s before we drive home I bring a BeQuick for each of them with everything they need for bed. That way when it’s time to get ready for bed, it’s easy to find what the girls need.

7. Mini purse: Kaitlyn has caught the “Ju-Ju-Be” bug (though not as severely, yet…) and so I gave her a BeQuick to use for some of her small dolls. She proudly carries it as her purse, telling anyone who will listen that she has her very own Ju-Ju-Be.

8. Restaurant toys: I’ll admit I haven’t actually been to a restaurant in a really, really long time, but I know other mamas who have used their BeQuick as restaurant sanity-savers. You can easily pack crayons, small colouring book, puzzles, toys, etc into a BeQuick to keep kids busy while you’re waiting for your food.

9. Snacks: BeQuick make great pouches for snacks as well. Throw in a couple of granola bars, a juice container, a package or two of Mum-mums and you’re all set. And again, because they’re completely washable you don’t have to worry about them getting messy.

10. Puzzle pieces: For some reason our puzzle boxes seem to end up squished or eaten (between the puppy and Emma) and I’ve discovered that a BeQuick makes a great holder for puzzle pieces. They take up less space that way as well and so far Emma hasn’t been able to mangle or damage them.

Cosmetic bag, first aid kit, pencil case- there really are countless other ways to use Ju-Ju-Be BeQuick and at only $16 each, you really can’t go wrong with them.

Oh, and did I mention they’d make great stocking stuffers! Hint, hint, Santa…

Jenny

I've never been really good with change...

I’ve always had trouble with the change of seasons, change of teachers, doctors or coaches, change in routine. I’ve never been adventurous with food; I’m nervous around new people and my idea of a great holiday is staying at home. I am anxious by nature, and change of almost any kind used to through me into turmoil. Call me boring, but that’s who I am. Or rather was.

I’ve realized, lately, that I’m not so bothered by change. The changing of seasons has always been really hard, (not ideal when you live in the Ottawa Valley). Normally this time of year is especially difficult for me. The transition from summer to fall to the pre-winter gloom has always unsettled me. I’m usually dragged through winter’s pregame show kicking and screaming, refusing to wear socks or close my windows, until I surrender to the inevitability of winter and collapse into a human hibernation of gloomy thoughts, carb overload and pale, dry skin. I’ve never enjoyed fall, despite its unmatched beauty and crisp, clean days, because I would anxiously anticipate the inevitable cold, dark days that unfailingly followed.

Last year I never went through this turmoil, but instead rolled through the transition from summer to winter light-heartedly, thoroughly enjoying my walks through the woods as the leaves changed and then fell. At the time I chalked it up to being pregnant, figuring my early January due date was giving me momentum to ride through the fall.

This year, though, I’m not pregnant, and yet I still feel content and again, I really enjoyed the fall, viewing each crisp, sunny day as a gift. Even now that we’re in that awkward in between time when the leaves are gone and Halloween is done, but the stores are not yet totally overrun with Christmas (I do love Christmas) and the first snow hasn’t yet come to lay down a fresh blanket over the soaked, muddy earth, I still feel happy.

I have nothing in particular to feel happy about. In fact, most people who know me would say it’s been a rather difficult fall and yet at this, my most dreaded time of year, I feel happy. I feel content and blessed. I think it’s because at the ripe old age of 29 I’ve come to realize that change is inevitable. While previously I dreaded change and resisted it in all forms, (almost always in futility I might add) I now recognize that aligning my sail with the wind, rather than against it makes for a far more enjoyable ride. Accepting that my life and the people in it will change frees me to totally and freely embrace all that is good right now.

I think I’ve also realized that not only is change inevitable, it is necessary. As much as I sometimes wish I could stop time, to prolong those moments when the world seems just right, (sometimes as I’m snuggling and nursing Emma, sometimes when I’m with the horses in the barn or the dogs in the woods), I know that those moment will pass, but new, precious moments wait. After all, if I keep my hand clenched around the moments of today, how will I embrace those of tomorrow?

So while I still curse the mud and the early dusk as I yet again hose off my horses muddy legs I also feel content and thankful that right now, at this moment in my life I have a wonderful horse. And as I grumble about having to convince Emma to leave her hat on, to stop biting her mittens or quit arching her back as I try to put her fleece suit on, I am overwhelmed by how much I love that little girl and how blessed I am to share these days with her. And as I grudgingly start carrying Kleenex in my pocket for the seemingly endless task of wiping little runny noses I feel grateful that we are healthy in mind and body. Of course it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in my world, far from it, but I know enough now, or maybe I just have accepted, that the rain, the snow, and especially the storms are inevitable, so it’s worth my while to soak up the sun every day I can.

Jenny

Prefolds vs. Fitted Diapers

Boxers or Briefs? Pepsi or Coke? Coffee or Tea? We all know these classic, age old debates over which choice is better. In the world of cloth diapers we also have one such debate, prefolds vs. fitteds. Of course there are other types of diapers, just as there are other underwear options and other soft drinks, but the fitted vs. prefold preference is a very commonly addressed debate. My goal here is not to persuade, nor to be biased (unlike my Ju-Ju-Be posts), one way or another, but rather to highlight the pros and cons of each.

First, a basic description: Prefolds are rectangular diapers that have a middle panel that is more absorbent than the outer two panels. There are different ways to fold a prefold, but the simplest is to just fold it in thirds and lay it in a cover. Other folding styles require pins or a snappi to hold the prefold in place. Prefolds come in a variety of fabrics and sizes.

Fitted diapers are cut to fit a baby and so do not need folding or pinning. Fitted diapers also come in variety of fabrics and a huge range of styles. These diapers do not have a waterproof barrier and require a cover.

Okay, on to the comparison.

Cost: Prefolds are extremely economical. Fitteds are comparatively much more expensive, especially if you need to buy different sizes. Prefolds tend to last longer as well, which adds to their economic advantage.

Versatility: Prefolds have the advantage here as well. Because there are different ways to fold the prefold, as long as you have a cover that fits well, you can guarantee you get a good fit on your baby. By nature of being fitted, fitted diapers are more individual. One brand may fit a chunky thighed baby well, but not a long skinny baby. Also, prefolds can be used as burp clothes, doublers, stuffers, and even cleaning rags.

Style: One could argue that this is perhaps not really worth considering, since both prefolds and fitteds require a cover, but I think there are some super cute fitteds out there and so this is worth considering. I think the greatest selection of prints is actually found on fitted diapers. (In the summer Emma often wore a fitted without a cover because they were too cute to cover up and I wasn't worried about her pants getting wet).

Performance: Here’s where it gets a little messy (no pun intended). It depends on the prefold and the fitted, of course, but in my opinion, I find prefolds to be more absorbent, but do not contain messes as well as fitteds. On a newborn, prefolds are bulkier than fitteds (because you can get really small fitteds), but once baby is bigger, prefolds are trimmer. Depending on the material, fitteds often take longer to dry than prefolds.

Ease of Use: What makes prefolds so versatile, also makes them a little more complicated than prefolds. Fitteds are just like disposable diapers, with either snaps or aplix closures, which means they go on very simply and quickly. Prefolds need to be folded and then placed in the cover or folded around the baby and fastened with pins or a snappi.

Choosing fitteds or prefolds is very much a personal choice. Here’s what one Sweet Peach Diaper Service Customer has to say about the Sweet Peach fitteds and prefolds:

When I first found out I was pregnant, a million things ran through my head. The one thing that stood out in my mind was whether I wanted to use cloth diapers or disposables. Both my mother and mother in law used cloth diapers and had nothing but good things to say about them and the benefits of using them, so I began looking into different cloth diapering options.

I discovered I basically had 2 choices, either purchase diapers or go with a diaper service. I knew about Sweet Peach's diaper service, and decided it would probably be the easiest option and in the long run, probably the cheapest!

With the diaper service from Sweet Peach, you have a choice of the fitted diapers or the organic prefolds. When my baby was first born, all I used were the fitted diapers. I thought they were great as they were easy to use and they contained everything nicely. After a few weeks I was given some cotton pre folds to try. I found that these were great for overnight as you can fold them several different ways for maximum absorbency and I have found that my baby will not fuss as much when she's wet and wearing a prefold.

I prefer to use the fitted diapers during the day as they are quick and easy to use, are not as bulky as the prefolds, and they also take up less room in my diaper bag. The only downside to the fitted diapers is that they are not as absorbent and I do find that I'm changing my baby more often compared to the prefolds.

Cloth diapering really is the way to go and whether you choose prefold or fitted, the best part about using these diapers is the super cute diaper covers you get to choose!

Personally, I recommend trying both, at different stages to see what works best for you. I have both prefolds and fitteds in my diaper stash because my preference often changes and I like to have some variety. Just like Pepsi or Coke, boxers or briefs, it’s a personal decision and there’s no one right answer.

As promised...meet my new BFF!

She helps me out tremendously, makes my life easier, helps me stay organized and often brings a smile to my face. She sounds perfect doesn’t she? She’s not a person though… she’s the newest Ju-Ju-Be diaper bag, just released this summer. (And yes, I realize I’m using a personal pronoun- sometimes a bag is more than just an “it”, it’s a “she”).

Before I delve right into the great features particular to the BFF, let me outline some of the features common to all Ju-Ju-Be products. The outside of the bags are made of Teflon, which protect against stains, tears and general wear on the bag. The inner fabric is made of a microbial fabric to help reduce odors and prevent bacterial nasties (we all know some funky things can be found in diaper bags). The linings of the bags are all light coloured to avoid the “black hole effect”. While the black hole might be great for Mary Poppins, most of us don’t enjoy having to stick our heads in our bags to try and see what’s in there. The change pads are made of extremely cushy memory foam, covered on one side with the same inside fabric of the bag and on the other side with the matching, patterned, outer fabric.All of Ju-Ju-Be’s products are completely machine washable, even their earth leather (which is an animal friendly leather). All of the Ju-Ju-Be hardware is metal, rather than plastic and you won’t find a strip of Velcro on any Ju-Ju-Be product. As well as wearing poorly, Velcro is often quite loud, which is not ideal when you want to avoid waking a sleeping baby. Instead, Ju-Ju-Be uses hidden magnets (my hubby’s personal favourite) and smooth metal zippers.

On to the BFF herself. As I mentioned, the BFF was revealed at the beginning of summer, to much anticipation by the Ju-Ju-Be fans. This bag did not disappoint. Many claim it is Ju-Ju-Be’s best bag yet and I would have to agree. There are so many wonderful features of the BFF, it really is a cut above most other diaper bags.

The organization of the BFF is what really makes it stand out. 4 gusseted inner pockets, 3 inner zippered pockets, 2 outer insulated bottle pockets lined with 3M insulate, a lined electronics pocket and a fabulous “Mommy pocket”, with its own compliment of pockets and key fob, make it easy to find a place for everything. It’s easy to find things on-the-go and keep them organized without much effort, especially when using other smaller Ju-Ju-Be bags within the BFF.


One of the greatest features of the BFF is that it can be worn as either a backpack or messenger style bag. Detachable backpack straps and a detachable, adjustable messenger strap make the BFF very versatile. I also love the grab handle on the top of the bag, which is extremely convenient and handy (no pun intended).

My BFF’s first outing was to our local fair, where she was truly put to the test. It was a cold, windy day so I had to pack an extra blanket and sweater, as well as the usual compliment of baby accessories- cloth diapers, wipes, bum paste, sippy cup, cheerios, spare clothes, snacks for me, my wallet, camera, water bottle, a few toys and my ergo. The BFF easily held it all without feeling stuffed. My water bottle and Emma’s sippy cup stayed cold because of the insulated bottle pockets and I never had to dig through the bag to find things. I was able to change Emma on a wooden bench thanks to the squishiness of the memory foam change pad. I'm embarrassed to say I almost cried when the BFF picked up some nasty black grease stains, but when I got home I gave her a little squirt of stain remover, tossed her in the washer and she came out good as new.

Although the BFF is primarily marketed as a diaper bag, it doesn’t obviously look like one and can be easily used far beyond the diapering years as a work bag, school bag or camera bag. I can see mine being used for many years to come.

It’s no secret I love all things Ju-Ju-Be. With superior craftsmanship and stylish prints to fit every taste it’s hard not to love them. I truly believe, though, they have come out with the ideal diaper bag. The only hard part is choosing which print. Don’t roll you eyes when I tell you there are some Pink Ladies who have the BFF in a few different prints because they love it so much. It took me weeks to decide which one I liked; there are just so many gorgeous prints to choose from.Bottom line- I couldn’t be happier with my Marvelous Mums BFF.



Jenny

High Praise for the Birth Pool in a Box from a Guest Blogger

I had known since the day I found out I was pregnant that I wanted to give birth in water. My aunt had done it twice and said it was an amazing experience and said that if she were to have another baby, the birth pool in a box was the way to go.

I was 13 days overdue with my daughter and found out I was in labor when I was at the hospital having an ultrasound done. I was dilated to 6cms and my contractions were 3.5 minutes apart. By the time I got home from the hospital (5 minutes from my house) I was almost 7.5 cm dilated. We hadn't set up the pool yet, or even looked at it, so I was panicked that we wouldn't get it ready in time! However, within 15 minutes, my husband had everything set up and the birth pool was being filled. (The only problem we ran into was running out of hot water!)

The pool design is great. It fit perfectly into our medium sized bedroom and we still had enough room to walk around. I was in the pool with my husband; my mother, my mother in law, and the 2 midwives were in the bedroom as well and we all had lots of room to move around the bedroom.

The birth pool was very comfortable. It fit myself and my husband easily and I had lots of room to change positions. I ended up giving birth while in the sitting position, with my feet and legs being supported by my husband while he sat on the step in the pool.

We were in the water for about 20 minutes after my daughter was born, and the water stayed nice and warm, which was a concern of mine. I was worried the water would cool quickly, but I was pleasantly surprised that it stayed so warm for that long. In total I was in the birth pool for about 4 hours. (My labor was 5 hours long but I spent the first hour out of the pool.)

Overall the experience with the birth pool in a box was excellent. It was very easy to set up and take down; no mess and no fuss.

It's a must-have on my list for my next baby!

Confession time...

I have an obsession. It may even be bordering on an addiction. No, I’m not talking about cloth diapers, although I am obsessed with those. Nor am I referring to my french fry addiction (I visit our local chip wagon far too often). This time I’m talking about Ju-Ju-Be (and I don’t mean the little candies). I’m referring to the beautifully made, amazingly functional, outstandingly gorgeous diaper bags and accessories made by Ju-Ju-Be. If you haven’t seen any of these bags or, (GASP), even heard of them, let me take you down the rabbit hole.

I blindly got sucked into the Ju-Ju-Be vortex when my hubby bought me a Ju-Ju-Be bag and wallet for Mother’s Day. Neither of us had any idea about the Pandora’s box that had been opened. I quickly fell in love with the superior craftsmanship and organization that is common to all Ju-Ju-Be products. The attention to detail didn’t hurt either. I’m not really a glitzy, “bling” sort of girl, but there’s something charming and appealing about the little Rhine stones embedded in every zipper pull.

What finally pushed me beyond the point of no return, however, was the discovery of The Pink Room, an online forum where Ju-Ju-Be fanatics (or Pink Ladies, as we are affectionately called) unite and enable each others' bag obsessions. Among the many sub forums there are sections for interests such as cloth diapering and baby-wearing, a “family matters” forum where Pink Ladies ask for advice and offer support, and perhaps the favourite forum of most Pink Ladies, the Ju-Ju-Be bag-swap. Here you can find all things Ju-Ju-Be offered for sale or trade (FSOT) as well as specific items Pink Ladies are in search of (ISO).

It was on the FSOT forum that I found my next Ju-Ju-Be addition and added a whole new dimension to my growing obsession. Pink Ladies buy, sell and trade their bags like kids trading cards or marbles on the school yard. Granted the “merchandise” is a little more valuable and shipping costs have to be factored in, but the delight over trading and acquiring new Ju-Ju-Be’s is as pure and all encompassing as that of a child finding a rare marble to complete her collection.

Just so you don’t think I’m completely off my rocker I would like to say that although to the uninitiated my Ju-Ju-Be obsession my seem extreme, I am just a “Pinkadette” or “Pink newbie” compared to the more experienced, long-term Pink Ladies. Some of the more senior obsessed have complete collections of a certain print. They diligently and patiently search for every item ever made in that print. Others have 3 or more of the exact same bag in the exact same print because they want to have a back up in case something happens to one of their bags. My collection and obsession pales in comparison to this level of dedication.

I won’t overwhelm you with the plethora of bags and accessories available, nor will I try to describe the dozens of beautiful prints they come in. I merely want to give you a glimpse of the wonderful world of Ju-Ju-Be. After all, I would hardly be able to call myself a true Pink Lady if I didn’t at least try to spread the Ju-Ju-Be love.

Stay tuned for my review of Ju-Ju-Be’s newest and best selling diaper bag, the BFF. I promise not to be biased…

Jenny

Baby-wearing has been on my mind a lot lately...

As Emma is on the cusp of crawling it makes me realize how quickly she is growing up, how too soon she will want to get from here to there on her own, so the moments when she is in a carrier with me are very precious. Of course I know she’s a long way from driving off with the family car, but crawling is just the first step on the path to independence that every parent both devotedly works towards and simultaneously dreads.

I should probably clarify that baby-wearing is fairly new to me. Kaitlyn was in the stroller more than she was in a carrier, but it’s the reverse with Emma. I think Emma has been in our rather expensive jogging stroller only twice. Maybe it’s because the girls were born in different seasons (Kaitlyn in the summer, Emma in the winter), so it made more sense to wear Emma than push a stroller through snow, ice and slush. Maybe it’s that I’ve had to keep up with Kaitlyn while caring for Emma and the farm. Or maybe I just know that too soon Emma is going to want to walk and run on her own rather than cuddle with me and so I want to have her with me while she still wants to. It’s probably a combination of all of these, but regardless Emma spends a good part of her day strapped to me as we go about our daily activities.

Wearing Emma just felt natural to me. Just like co-sleeping and not letting her cry it out, having her close to me as much as possible just seemed like the right thing for both of us. Emma is a pretty easy-going baby and plays really well by herself, but sometimes she just needs to cuddle and sometimes I just need to cuddle her. Unfortunately, despite my deepest pleas, time does not stand still for these cuddles. This is where a carrier has come in very handy. I can keep working around the farm and the house or play with Kaitlyn without missing out on holding Emma.

Being able to keep Emma close to me has allowed me to carry on with all the responsibilities of being on a farm and taking care of a family and house, without having to miss out on quality time with Emma. Whether it’s hiking with the dogs in the woods, mucking stalls, cleaning the house, helping Kaitlyn ride her bike or cooking dinner, Emma can be with me. She can experience the world around her from a safe and cozy vantage and of course when she needs to eat she can do so easily. If she gets tired she just has to lay her head against me and drift to sleep. And I love that her soft head is easily within kissing reach. My heart melts every time she wraps her arms around my tummy and lays her head on my chest for a cuddle. Having already had one child I know that these precious moments are fleeting and so to be able to have more of them by having Emma with me as much as I can is a treat.

I know that Emma won’t remember our baby wearing days, but I will. I will always hold onto the memories of her little warm body pressed so close against me; how I want to cry every time she looks up into my eyes and smiles. I will cherish these days when it seems like she and I share a private little cocoon together, exploring and living together. When she’s older and yearns for some space, and especially when she asks to borrow the car, I’ll have these memories to hold close.