Abby Turned 9 Yesterday

So my Abigail is 9. How amazing that she has grown so much.

Yesterday we had a little party at the park. Her sisters Sadie and Hannah designed and decorated a Dalek cake for her. They all love Doctor Who. Abby loves the Daleks. It turned out great. She loved it.

I made chili for dinner. After we ate, we went to the park for cake and ice cream. Her friends Jenny and Michael came and they all got to play and eat. It was a great time.

C25K - Week 1 Day 1

Today I am starting the C25K program. It is a program to get you off the couch to running 5 kilometers (C25K). I have been exercising the past couple months with both weight training and cardio. I'm going to add in running as my main cardio. I am so excited to get back in shape. Now that Joy (my 8th baby) is 4 months old, I am ready.

My husband is doing the C25K as well. We are alternating days, so he will run day 2 tomorrow, while tomorrow will be my day off.


-- After My First Run --

I'm back. Oh my heck. I truly thought I was going to throw up. I feel much better now that I've showered, rested, and eaten. Yes, I even ate after my run.

I started off and it said to begin warm up. Warm up? What am I supposed to do? Yeah. If I would have read the little blip on the top right corner of my iPhone app I would have seen the 5 minute warm up.

So after my warm up walk (I figured that's what it wanted me to do), I'm already a little tired. Maybe not a good start to my run.

Then I begin my 60 second run. Now, I didn't really think I was all that out of shape. I'm 5'4". I weigh 148 as of today. I've been exercising for a couple months. I am glad I was doing my exercises. This was pretty hard. Not so hard it couldn't be done. It was a good workout.

I was thankful for my 90 second walk times between the 60 second runs. By the time I got about 3/4 done, I was walking with my hands above my head. I needed that extra air. My calves hurting and my struggling to breathe were my biggest problems.

I was thrilled when I finished. The cool down was much needed. I also made sure to stretch after I was done.

Then I came inside. My oldest daughter said I looked like a tomato. My husband laughed saying he though I turned into a lobster. I turn very red when I'm hot.

Overall I am both excited and dreading my next run. I feel FANTASTIC right now. I feel like I accomplished something huge!

I CAN DO IT!
I WILL DO IT!

I am going to get healthy!

My current pictures are posted below, as well as my Why Did I Do This To Myself face after my first run.

My measurements:

May 8

Weight 148

Thigh
L - 23.5
R - 23.5
Calf
L - 13 7/8
R - 13 7/8
Waist (around belly button)
36
Waist between belly button and hips (baby tummy)
38 7/8
Hips
38.25
Triceps (around biggest part)
L - 13
R - 13.25
Neck
12.5

Vaska Detergent Review

The past few months I've been using Vaska Laundry Detergent for our cloth diapers. It is the only detergent I've used during this period of time.  I was using the Lavender scented Vaska detergent.  

I've been cloth diapering for the last two years. Over that time, I've found my diapers tend to get soap buildup from the detergents, as well as ammonia buildup from general use with my baby and toddler. I have tried several different well known store brands. However, I decided I'd rather use a more natural brand of detergent for my diapers. After all, I am cloth diapering for the healthy and natural aspect. 

Two things I want to mention. The first is that we have very hard water. It doesn't help with keeping the funky smell out of diapers.
The second is I am using a top load, non water efficient washer. I have never had success with getting my cloth diapers clean with a front loader or with a water efficient (uses small amount of water) top load washer.


After a little trial and error, I figured the proper amount I needed for my diapers.  Some detergents I have used in the past I could not use the full load amount or it would not wash out of the diapers.  I tried a half cap of the liquid detergent, and the amount for a full load. The half (medium load size) was never enough to keep the diapers odor free. I found that using the amount for a full load was the best for my washings. Each load of diapers I wash are always either a large or super load.

I have my normal routine.  I always dump the soiled diapers and wash them off in the toilet.  I soak my diapers overnight in plain water. Then put them through a cycle until the first spin. Once it drains, I start it over, adding the soap. I try to get any urine and fecal residue out of the diapers before the main wash. I then put them through the wash, with an extra rinse cycle.

The diapers dried both on the line and in the dryer, depending on the weather.

Vaska did a very good job of keeping the diapers odor free. Yes, I will occasionally sniff my diapers to see how clean they are.  Previously, every few months I would notice my microfiber inserts getting an odor. I would then gather up all my diapers and strip them. They would go through about three wash cycles of plain water before the soap was gone from the diapers. So far, I haven't had the need to strip my diapers.  

I'm not one to pretreat my diapers, because I don't want the soaps to absorb into the cloth, causing me to strip them more often. I did pretreat one insert to show the difference in the stain.
Without pretreating, and just going through the wash, it was not great at getting dark stains out. When the diapers were pretreated, however, it did a great job with the stains.  

I included a before and after picture of an insert.  This insert had been through many washes.  It had been line dried as well as through the dryer multiple times with this stain.  I put Vaska liquid soap on the stain.  I let it pretreat for 24 hours.  Then I put it through my normal wash with a load of diapers.  I was amazed at the insert.  The stain was gone.  I was impressed at how well the pretreating did.  

Overall, I am very happy with Vaska detergent.  It did a great job keeping my diapers clean and free from odor.  

Vaska liquid detergent is definitely one detergent I would be happy to have on my laundry shelf.  

** I was given two free bottles of Vaska detergent for this review.  This is my opinion on the product given.  For more information on Vaska products go to their website at  www.vaskahome.com  **

 

A Year Long Review

A while back I posted about how I was going to do a review on cloth diaper detergent. I have not forgotten. I am slowly making it through my detergents that I was graciously given. I just finished the Vaska container. I will be writing my review shortly.

Getting Ready To Run

In my weight loss journey, I've been able to shed 10 pounds. This morning I weighed in at 147.8 pounds. Hooray!

Along with weight training, my husband and I have decided we want to start running. I've never liked running. I have always WANTED to like running. I just tire way too easily.

We are going to start doing the C25K program. It's the Couch To 5K. In about 8 weeks you can go from a couch potato to running 5K. It's running 3 days a week, and 2 of the days I'm not running I'm going to add in my weight training.

The only thing I have to figure out is how to carry my iPhone. I really dislike having anything attached to my arm, so an arm band is out. I'm looking at a few options. I'll let you know what I decide.

Knitting - Day 1

Today I learn how to knit.

I have thus far learned casting on. I like it. I think I'm going to learn this quickly.

Simple and Makers House Party

Makers House Party Pic

FedEx dropped off my House Party pack.

I love the free parties they let's us throw!



I got 11 face wipes, 7 travelsized facial wash, 11 coupons, 11 quote magnets, 8 word cards to hold up in pictures, and 11 grocery tote bags.

Opening the box we saw the totes. My oldest dd mentioned the bag. I said I like bags (have a bunch of them). Then we pulled them out and it was 11 bags. She was like, "You hit the jackpot!" LOL

I can't wait for the party.