CAN I SAY I TOLD YOU SO YET?

We have been cloth diapering Shea for nine months, despite the fact that many people looked at us skeptically and even told us we wouldn't do it for long. We used a pack of sposies (disposable diapers) when he was first born, compliments of the hospital, and a couple of packs when we traveled. Otherwise, we have been using cloth diapers that we wash at home. There are so many reasons behind it:

~Saving $.

~No chemicals.

~Less waste.

~Cute and fluffy.

~Better for baby.

~Easier transition to potty learning.

Here's a nice, little article in TIME Magazine about the surge in cloth diapering with a few pros and cons. Frankly, I don't think doing a couple extra loads of laundry is as much of a con as dumping a TON of waste and chemicals in our landfills PER CHILD.

And Shea likes his fluffy buns too.

WOMEN WHO CHANGE THE WORLD ARE RARELY POLITE

But do they cry?

"We'll do anything not to elect a woman . . . "

~Gloria Steinem

"There's a tee shirt that says: "Women Who Change the World Are Rarely Polite" -- but do we believe it? We buy the tee shirt. We wear the tee shirt. But what do we really believe? Do we allow women the same emotional latitude as men? I doubt it."

THE LONG DRY SPELL

babywearing

cupped in plastic with a handy
handle, babies ride perched on shopping carts
swing from the end of arms

clipped and buckled in for safety

other babies worn in pouches, slings, an ancient
wrap device like the latest earthy fashion accessory,
legs dangle, cheek rest on mama's

heartbeat

dangling Buddha

I find that wearing a baby is an excuse
to dance,

sway to the background music
as we shop the after-Christmas sales.

My baby doesn't need it, the dancing,
but I do it anyway as if it is for his sake.

Both hands free, my body freed
by the weight of this new person.

He 's strapped content to my torso
and turns to greet each face that smiles into his.

Belly to belly we navigate all the stuff
we don't need
or reach for.

~j.b. rowell