Progressive Hippie Chick

Yes, I realize that the title of this post is an oxymoron.  However, I believe that there are people out there, like me, who have elements of a hippie personality but no desire to live out of a 1960's VW bus.  I have owned Birkenstocks, tried for months at a time to not wear deodorant, love eating fresh, organic food, buy into some of the conspiracy theories, will let a week or so slide without shaving and enjoy going to the grocery store without wearing make-up.  I am, after all, a child of the 70's.  On the flip side, I don't compost, I barely recycle, I let my car warm up for at least 15 minutes in the winter (I HATE to be cold!), I partake in an occasional Starbucks instead of funding my local coffee shop, and if I ever run into David Beckham, Lenny Kravitz, Chris Cornell, Terrell Owens, or Rafael Marquez, I want full on make-up and my hair did.  I'm vain.  There, I said it.

In an effort to combine the hippie chick lifestyle with my vanity, I've spent the last several months researching topics that might seem too granola for some:  Cloth diapers, adoptive breastfeeding and homemade baby food.  My findings have been quite enlightening and have led me to want to try all 3.

First up, Cloth Diapers.  These are NOT what I used wear!  They've come a long way and they are amazing!  Below are two that I have already purchased for Baby Joaquin.  I wanted to get a feel for what they are like, how easy it is to stuff them, take off, etc.  They are so soft and if I were a baby, I would want something like this next to my butt!  I scoured the internet and finally decided on purchasing them from Just Simply Baby.  Some advantages to look forward to: 1)  Basically ZERO diaper rash  2) overall savings of about $2000  3) studies show cloth diapered babies potty train on average a year before disposable diapered kiddos  4) I can still make a fashion statement! (my vanity still intact!)

kick it up!

Black Bessy Minky

Next on the flower chain, Adoptive Breastfeeding.  I was breast fed so the idea of breastfeeding has always seemed natural to me.  When I found out that as an adoptive mom it is possible to breastfeed, I was excited!  Especially since studies show that in addition to the nutritional and immunity benefits, breastfeeding has a critical significant role in attachment, early brain development and healthy child development overall.  Recently, the role of breast feeding has been cited as a protective factor against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  I know it might seem weird to some, but I am committed to give my babies the best I can give and I believe I have two of the best to give!  I won't flash you my nipples though because, remember, I am vain:)

Last stop, homemade baby food.  I am stoked to do this!  Processed food grosses me out.  For years, I have been on a quest to eat healthy.  I've run the gamut in trying different diets- the Kind Diet, the McDougall plan, The Raw Diet, Vegan, juicing, fasting, cleanses....  I've settled on a vegetarian diet that is high in whole grains, fruits and veggies.  About 6 months ago, I made a commitment to myself to try and cook 90% of what I eat.  I figured that if I got into the habit before the babies get here, it will be a smoother transition to making their food.  I've been getting practice with my dogs.  I stopped feeding them manufactured dog food 2 months ago and started making theirs from scratch.  The health changes I've seen in them are incredible and they are just dogs!  So my DREAM item is featured below, the Beaba Babycook:

I am so hoping that I get this at a baby shower!  Well, that pretty much sums up the last couple months of my internet surfing:)

Nepal

There are 13 pipeline families left waiting to receive visas.  13.  I will confess that I have not allowed myself to even begin to think about how and when I will be able to get Baby Sofía.  I pray for her everyday and also that the government will lift the suspension.  In all of the double investigations (first the governments and then the adoptive parents) there have been no findings of fraud.  I view this as a huge positive.  Please pray that the suspension would be lifted!


The Congo

I am waiting to get my medical report and police state clearance form back.  My dog, Lola, decided on her own that I didn't have enough going on with working two jobs, tracking down crazy paperwork and fundraising.  She took it upon herself to go into my office, pull the ONE thing that I need out of the basket that is right next to my computer, and use it as a chew toy.  A very, expensive chew toy.  She managed to locate my passport and eat half of it.  Just so happens that I needed 2 copies of my passport to send in with my Congo dossier.  I guess she figured I needed to spend $225 on a new chew toy passport.  I'm hoping that the expedited passport will arrive right around the time I get my medical and police reports.  Then, I get to send everything to the CONGO!!  Woo hoo!!!

Don't let her smile fool you, she is one smart cookie!