There Will Be Rest In The Hereafter

(idk where I found this picture, and I know it's about cavities, not teething, but it's CUTE)

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Canine, Mr. and Mr. Bicuspid, and Mrs. and Mrs. Molar,

You are cordially invited to get the hell out of my son's gums. You will get lots of fun gummy brushings, and will get to enjoy the company of lots of dog food that sneaks in, as well as many organic yummy fruits and vegetables. Even  some boobie time! (Sorry Mr. and Mr. Bicuspid- I know you aren't into that sort of thing) Please RSVP ASAP, because I'm REALLY EXCITED TO MEET YOU! SERIOUSLY. YOU HAVE NO CLUE.

Sincerely,
Arlo's mom.

**************************************

I am so sick of teething already, and there are NO TEETH yet... UGH.

I have been so busy with work, trying to help Arlo's tears go away, school, craft projects, and personal problems>> i haven't been able to try out any new teething methods! so far it's just been Hyland's teething tablets/gel( Teething Gel - 0.5 oz (14.7 ml) (Google Affiliate Ad) )and cold things. popsicles, frozen rubber duckies, teething rings, and any other toy we can toss in the freezer... it helps, but I need some suggestions for other things. Natural Mamas, HELP!!!

livinGreen: cleaning supplies + DIY all purpose cleaner

Arlo has started scooting around the house. not quite crawling, but close. He also reaches, grabs, and gets into anything he can. his new movements bring babyproofing the house to mind.


While Arlo will probably manage to find things (dangerous things at that) throughout the house I never knew I had, I know he will never get into any harmful chemicals. How can I be so sure? I simply won't have any in the house.


For the past few years, I've thought a lot about the way our society shapes us. It shapes us to be consumers.  My whole life, I thought that you needed a separate product for each chore to be done in the house. Glass cleaner for windows, dish soap for dishes, tile cleaner for tiles, etc. etc. etc. Not too long ago, I realized that this simply wasn't true. Although those products' ingredients are specified for certain actions, there are many natural, safe approaches to cleaning that work for many chores. Personally, I don't want to take any risk of my sweet son getting into chemicals that could involve a trip to the emergency room (and most of them will), so I have started cleaning my house the natural way.

With just a handful of basic ingredients (we'll start with just 3), you can clean your entire house without risk of harm to ANYONE in your house.

#1: CASTILE SOAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 it's probably my favorite cleaning ingredient ever. why? You can use it for anything you'd use "normal" soap for, but you can change the scent by adding a few drops of whatever essential oil that you want (if you get the unscented kind). also, you only need a few tablespoons of it in a big amount of water (dont know the ratio offhand)... basically, you buy some, and don't have to get anymore for about 6 months or so. the most perfect, money saving thing ever.

#2: VINEGAR
it smells disgusting, but it cleans ANYTHING. walls, windows, and whatnots. The smell can be taken care of by making an all purpose cleaner with citrus fruits (see DIY instructions below).



#3: BAKING SODA
I use this to scrub everything! EVERYTHING! Perfect for sinks, bathtubs, a little sprinkle in facewash for a scrub (i use honey for facewash... it really works people), and i even use it to wash my scalp. I have a head full of dreads, and rather than spending a ton of money on a no-residue shampoo, I use baking soda (also apple cider vinegar- another one to keep in the house, and lavender oil) to clean my locks. Keeps them sparklin clean and nice smelling.

Baking soda also eliminates smells from just about anything. Our diaper pail smells TERRIBLE unless we sprinkle baking soda in it about once every day. just a bit does the trick. and people think that they have to drop dozens of dollars on name brand diaper pails- HAHA! no, siree.



so there you have it. The three most important ingredients. No doubt I will be sharing more of these magical substances as time goes on, but start with those. Now, onto the DIY!
DIY ALL PURPOSE CLEANER (CITRUS SCENT)

Ingredients:
(these are estimations, as specific amounts aren't really necessary)
*a bottle of distilled white vinegar. just the kind you can buy at any general store (if you can, buy local!)
*a few citrus fruits. I used a grapefruit and two oranges, and filled 2 16 oz jars
*one or two old jars (from pickles or something) that you've washed out

Step 1: peel your fruits!!!! you won't need the meat from the fruits, so eat that up- it's good for you. 

 Step 2: Fill a jar (or jars) up with the peel, and pour in vinegar until the jar is full.

Step 3: let the mixture sit for 2 or 3 weeks, then pour into a spray bottle and voila!!!! You've got the cheapest, easiest, most natural cleaner ever.
wasn't so hard, was it?

He likes it, and so will you :)

(just so you know, i didn't "invent" this cleaner- SO many people long long ago used to use it. My mother had a love for eco friendly cleaning, and used vinegar to clean lots of things. adding citrus was simply a touch i'd heard of before to take away from the smell!)
<3


Chelsea, Arlo, and Olive

Easiest DIY Ever: Fruit Pops For Teething Babies

Arlo has been teething for about 1 1/2 months now, and it's just the worst.
For those who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing it, the process of sprouting teeth can turn the most cheerful, lovable baby into the most noisy and horrifying banshee imaginable. Watching your baby cry out in pain is one of the most difficult things for a mother to witness. Blind with sadness/hopelessness, I overlooked one of the most easy and effective ways to help my little one: ice.
Well, I'll be honest. This little bitty project didn't start because I'd suddenly realized the solution to my problem. It started because I wanted a snack. However, that doesn't make it any less awesome.

I've seen so many of the little popsicle do-dads at the store that cost about $3 a pop for 4-6 popsicles... I've thought about purchasing them. I would certainly use them... however, I'm really cheap. I happened to have a bunch of ice trays, and some popsicle sticks at home. I also have a "Baby Bullet" blender that we use to make Arlo's food. I only bring this up because if you're going to use these pops to help with your little one's teething troubles, a big popsicle probably won't help too much. it'll be too overwhelming. Ice trays make nice, little pops.




I'M GOING TO SAY IT RIGHT NOW: IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE THESE FOR YOUR TEETHING L.O., DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT LEAVE HER/HIM ALONE WITH THE POPSICLE. THE STICK IS DEFINITELY A CHOKING HAZARD, AS WELL AS THE POP WHEN IT GETS SMALL ENOUGH.
I let Arlo hold his own popsicle, but when the stick started showing at the top, I assisted him in eating it. Please don't even take the risk. Plus, it's the most adorable thing ever to watch a baby eat a popsicle. you will need a wet towel for clean up. probably a few.

 1: cut all of the meat out of 2 large mangoes, and throw them into a blender.

 2. pour the SMOOTH mango puree into the ice cube tray. put in the freezer for about 15 minutes, then put the sticks in, and freeze for another 40 minutes or so.

 3. ENJOY!

So cute.

Natural Parenting: TRAVELING 101

Arlo is only 4 1/2 months old, but we've been traveling twice already!
I knew that since he was/is so young, and especially since we're cloth diapering, that traveling by plane could be quite the adventure. My whole life, I've traveled about the country to see family members or friends, so I feel like I've got the process down to a science.

If you're traveling with a little one, or just by yourself, these tips will help make the process stress-free (or as close as you can get).


1. Plan Ahead


I've always been a list maker. Whenever I have to leave my house for a day or more (or even a few hours :P), I make a list of items I might need. This list is usually full of things that I think I need. I will also make a separate list for my carry on bag.

After I write the initial list, I go through it a few more times, eliminating items that aren't crucial, or that are more convenient to purchase once I get to my destination. For me, lately, these items are things like the boppy, snuggle toys, extra blankets, and the baby bullet. This is important since you only have so much room to work with when traveling, whether it be by plane or car.


Try to make the list for the carry on bag as small as possible! You don't want to lug around more than necessary, especially if you've got a little one in tow.
My carry on list usually looks a bit like this:
  
*bag for storing diaper changes. includes appropriate # of inserts for the trip, plastic liners, and diaper covers, in case of a real mess. (Any old bag will do for this, but I like to use a small, zip up bag to keep things organized)
*wet bag! this is probably the most important thing of all. In fact, if you're packing and reading this, put the wet bag in your carry on RIGHT NOW! you don't want to have to use a makeshift bag and end up smelling like old diapers...
*pack of wipes (if you have one that has been opened and is smaller, it'll work best to save you some room)
*change of clothes. You never ever know if the pressure change will cause baby's inner pressure to change, if you know what i mean :S
*something for baby to suck on. If you use a pacifier, this will work perfectly. If you don't use one, make sure to bring a bottle (if you use one), or prepare to nurse on the way up and down. Usually, I nurse Arlo when we're going through pressure changes, and he does just fine. A pinky finger will also work, but see below
*Natural hand sanitizer! Airports are disgusting. Germs can be a good thing sometimes, but never ever in an airport. It'll also be good if/when you need to have baby suck on your finger during the pressure change in the plane. If you don't know where to get hand sanitizer/don't have enough time to look or order it online, just google it and you can find simple homemade recipes.
*baby's favorite toy. Airplanes can be scary, especially if your little one isn't a social butterfly. keeping a favorite cuddly toy close by can help with comforting baby. 
*last but not least, something for you!!!! just in case baby goes to sleep (you never can tell), you want to have a book or something to keep you busy. I forgot this one last time, and I was bored through a 3 1/2 hour flight :( 




2. Minimize


As you're packing, ask yourself "Do i REALLY need this?" Chances are, the answer is no. Usually, the little one will need more room in the bag than you will. If I packed whatever I thought I needed, my bag would be bursting at the seams. If you think "minimize, minimize, minimize!", you won't have to worry about fitting things in the bag, OR weight limits!
If you don't use something regularly- don't bring it.
Make sure to bring clothing that you wear a lot. If you have something that you've never worn before, leave it (unless it's for a special occasion). When traveling, it is best to stick to the usuals.
So check, double check, and triple check:
"Do I REALLY need this?"




3. Opt For Comfort


At one point in time, going place to place by plane was an occasion that called for one's Sunday best. In this day and age, things are quite different. I've seen a wide array of colored sweatpants, flip flops, etc. I've also seen people in pantsuits traveling. Both sides of the spectrum had one thing in common: they looked comfortable.
Of course you want to look as good as possible whenever possible, but when traveling, it's best to cut stress down to a minimum. Wear your most comfortable jeans, or a knee length skirt when heading out by plane. Make sure to wear simple, easy to remove shoes. If you can't handle walking long distances in your shoes, pack them away! You never know how long it'll take you to get to your gate (Once I was heading back home to Kansas City, and had to walk over a mile to get to my gate :S).
If you're planning on wearing a sling (especially one with metal rings), prepare to have to take it off when going through security. It may not be necessary, but make sure you can carry your little one through the security gates, just in case. 




4. Take a Step Back and Breathe


When people travel, their bad sides seem to pop out and say hello. If your flight is cancelled/delayed, your gate has changed twice, your baby is cranky, your feet hurt, you're hungry, and you just can't seem to walk fast enough... take a step back and breathe. Think about this: even though right NOW you're angry and stressed, when you get to where you're going you'll feel a whole lot better. If you just take a moment to breathe and remember that this situation is temporary, the trip will only get better!
















hope this is useful!


LOVE
chelsea and arlo