Pail or Bag??

This post is a question for those of you who already Cloth Diaper. I need your input!! When it comes to diapering at home:

Diaper Pail or Hanging Wet Bag???

For everyone else- here is a brief rundown of the two:

Most everyone knows what a diaper pail is, especially the fancy ones now like the "Diaper Champ" or "Diaper Genie". For cloth diapers, you can get a pail liner that is a washable tote bag basically. You pt your dirty cloth diapers in there until wash day, and then you dump all of them and the pail liner in the wash. You just use them with a typical trash can.

(This pic is kinda confusing because it looks like they have a hanging wet bag and some kind of pail too?)

I have explained what a wet bag is here. If you are going to cloth diaper while you are out and about then you have to have one of these. But some people also use the larger ones in the nursery (or bathroom) while diapering at home too. You put the dirty diapers in it and then, just like the pail liner, you throw it in the wash with the diapers on wash day. 

So I am now trying to decide which is the best route to go with in our house. Any suggestions?? 

Check

Well, I can check something off my forever long to do list!! Mr.Pate and I decided on who would be Griffin's doctor today.....

Dr. Fraser!

We had intended to interview three doctors: Dr.Fraser, Dr.Smith and Dr.Kniery. But after meeting both Fraser and Smith we decided we wanted to stay at that practice (they work for the same practice) because we liked both of them a lot.

In the end they were both really great and answered all of our questions with the answers we were looking for, so we felt confident both would take great care of our little man. But Dr.Fraser was sooo personable and asked us questions about ourselves and even shared his faith with us. We just felt like it clicked. Plus he is very strong on wanting his moms to breastfeed and dedicated to helping make that happen. Sold! Ha!

We feel great about the choice and I am glad to feel like I am making progress on the "get it done before I pop" list!

In other news, I taught the younger ones at church tonight and here are the things you would have laughed your head off at if you had been a fly on the wall:
- As a girl walked by me she looked at me and said, "you are having a baby". Thank you for letting me know... Haha!
- We talked about Zaccheus and when I asked what he looked like a girl said "little like you" every time!
- I asked them what Zaccheus did for a living and someone yelled "he stole money!"... Basically right.


- Mrs.Pate via my iPhone

Creepy Cakes

Want to see some creepy baby shower cakes?? The first one is the weirdest one to me...

http://blogs.babble.com/being-pregnant/2011/05/02/the-creepiest-baby-shower-cakes-ever/

The End of an Era

Well tonight was the end of our Bradley Classes.

Reasons I am glad it's over:

- No more driving in the rain to Hendersonville and back on Mondays!! It was tiring and expensive!
- We get another night of the week that we are not committed to something (kinda, softball will randomly take it's place I guess)
- Maybe I'll have time to finish my long list of books to read before baby is born now that I don't have homework.

Reasons I am sad it's over:

- I really loved going and learning about birth and baby every week.
- It made me more alert and aware of what I was eating and how I was preparing for labor.
- It was a bonding activity for me and Mr.Pate. I loved that we had a dedicated time every week to go and learn something together and discuss things.
- It guarenteed there was a time each week that we were practcing relaxation and labor strategies (you are supposed to do this everyday... But we struggle). Now we really have to be intentional and it is the most critical time!

I am so glad we took these classes! Regardless of how my labor turns out, I know we are more informed and feel more prepared for it. We are on the same page and feel (somewhat) ready to meet our little guy!! And he is coming soon!

I promise to begin posting more about what I learned in the coming weeks for those that are interested. It can be my little review session : )


- Mrs.Pate via my iPhone

31 Weeks and Counting...

• How far along: 31 Weeks
• Total Weight Gained: 28 lbs (started 107, currently 135), up 1 lb this week
• Maternity Clothes: Maternity pants and regular & maternity shirts. Special thanks to my parents- I am now stocked on maternity wear I do believe! I got some capri's and shorts this last week. 
• Sleep: This was a horrid week for sleep! I hate sleeping on the mattress pad (it makes noise and makes me hot). And I am waking up all the time to every sound, movement etc. Plus I can barely roll over! Ha! So this week wasnt so great in the sleep department, here's to hoping next week is better.    
• Best Moment of the Week:  Probably just random moments of feeling Griffin move and Mr.Pate getting to feel it too. 
• Movement: Yes! This boy is constantly moving. He likes to push different body parts out (I cant figure out what part it is yet) and just leave it for half a minute or so. It is crazy!! And Friday night he kept me up with all his moving!! Goodness! 
• Food Cravings: Tacos 
• Food Aversions: N/A
• Symptoms: I am always out of breath, my tailbone is sore sore sore, I can barely bend over to get things (lots of squatting), peeing all the time, and I am hungry every hour and a half or so, heartburn ... 
• What I miss: Breathing and sleeping! 
• What I'm looking forward to: Baby Showers that are coming up! Starting on the nursery in May and getting this place organized! Ha! And meeting our little boy!!!!!  
• Other news: We are just trucking right along. I would say I look very pregnant at this point and still have a while to go- so who knows how big i'll be?? We had an OB appointment last week and everything looks and sounds great. His heartbeat was 140 and I am measuring on schedule again. This week we interview our 2nd Pediatrician. My first showers are in 2 weeks and I cant wait! So excited!! I have begun working on my maternity leave paperwork and getting things planned at work for when I leave. We start on the nursery in about 2 weeks as well. We have our last Bradley Class this week, and it is hard to believe! He will be here before we know it! 
• Gender & Name: It's a Boy! Griffin Alan Pate

Milestones:
According to Babycenter.com : This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Time is ticking away- what last minute advice do you have for me??