Harper is growing up so fast, it’s amazing to see her learn new things and figure out puzzles she had no interest in before. She is so talkative and curious, and I love the little adventures we have together. It’s amazing to think she’s already over eighteen months old!
I’m really looking forward to all the changes she’ll go through in the next six months or so. She’ll go on her first camping trip, spend countless hours in our pool learning how to paddle and reach the side, and she’ll even move from her nursery into our back bedroom (currently used as my home office, we’ll be remodeling the master bedroom to accommodate my work at home needs) which will be decorated and furnished as her “big girl room”. Her new room will feature a carefully restored vintage iron toddler bed, a pint size wood table and chairs for her tea parties and art projects, and lots of storage for her books and toys.
I’m a bit nervous about introducing her to the toddler bed when she turns two, she’s such a good sleeper, generally staying down from eight pm till six or seven am and then calling me, never trying to leave her crib on her own. But, you see, she’ll need to transition soon enough, because the beautiful vintage pram I’ve restored to use as a bassinet will only last for a few months…
Ok, I’ll come right out and say it. I’m pregnant! And our second baby will be born in October, just like his/her big sister! Assuming the birth is no later than nine days post edd, that is. Our newest cloth diaper model is scheduled to arrive somewhere around October 22nd, 2014, and I’m so very excited to take on this next adventure.
I’ve always said I’d love to have children a couple years apart as my brother and I were very close growing up and I cherish the relationship we have. Harper will be old enough to entertain herself for short periods of time while I nurse or change her sibling, and aware enough to want to help by bringing me washcloths, toys, granola bars, etc when I ask for them. She’s already so excited and loves pointing to my tummy and asking “Baby?” and if I ask her to give the baby a kiss she happily obliges. She looks for babies and pregnant mamas on my newsfeed when I’m scrolling through Facebook and gets positively giddy when she sees one. I know Harper is going to be such a wonderful sister, patient and doting and kind. She’s already great with her new cousin, my brother-in-law’s two month old daughter. She knows to be gentle and cautious and quiet around her, and she is transfixed when the baby moves or makes a noise.
I hope you’re as excited as I am to find some amazing newborn fluff for my littlest one, as I am thrilled to take on fully reviewing all sorts of cloth diapers. I’m not rushing to potty train Harper since any attempts at this age would likely lead to regression once the new baby is here anyway, and two in cloth is much easier than the idea of two in disposables. I’m running a wash load every other day anyway; why not add a little more to it?
Here’s a little more about me and my parenting style and thoughts for the future in case you’re curious:
Harper was born via emergency c section, but I’ve found a doctor who is known to be pro VBAC and I have had wonderful experiences with the office so far, so I’m hopeful I’ll be able to attempt the birth experience I really want, and get the bonding I had to struggle without during my first birth.
I am currently breastfeeding, and will continue to do so until Harper is ready to stop. I’m a little nervous about tandem breastfeeding, but interested to learn more about it and am confident we’ll be able to make it work.
What else can I tell you? I love babywearing but am not as skilled with a wrap as I would like to be so tandem babywearing has me shaking in my boots. I’m so glad that my husband is so supportive, and often wears Harper in his soft structured carrier. At least when we go somewhere together I know we can each wear one of our loved ones, and both will be kept close and happy.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask, I am so thankful that you enjoy reading my cloth diaper reviews and that Kim was amazing enough to take me on to contribute to her incredible website. I’ve learned so much in just a year, and had a lot of fun along the way!
[hr]Note from Kim- I’m so happy for Lara and her growing family and even more excited that she will continue on reviewing diapers. So many of you ask about newborn reviews, and it takes a very knowledgable person to do them. I was never comfortable enough to ask others even though I considered it, so with Lara expecting this is going to be a lot of fun! It looks like the newest addition may even have my son’s birthday, we will see how it plays out!
