Good-bye to diapers

As we work to say good-bye to diapers with my youngest, I feel the need to pass along a helpful "recipe." I just can't throw it away without sharing it!
***We used cloth diapers for most of the time each of our girls were in diapers. (These were "fuzzi bunz," not the pinned diapers of my mother's time.) Anyway, we also used cloth wipes / baby washcloths during this time.
A friend gave me the following "recipe" for the wipe solution, for which I am very thankful. (Thanks, Jamie!) I think she found it online. If anyone knows the origin, I would be glad to document it.

Baby Wipe Solution:
2 T. Baby bath or shampoo
1 T. Baby oil
3 drops Tea Tree Essential oil
3 drops Lavender Essential oil
2 c. water

***I mixed this in a larger bottle, doubling the recipe. Then I used a little squirt bottle, which I kept with my diapering supplies. I carried a smaller squirt bottle in my diaper bag. It was very gentle on my girls, but also effective.


Another tip---Tea Tree Essential oil makes a great freshener for both the diaper pail and the bathroom, when necessary!

Talk slowly and carry a sense of humor

Today I was reminded that sometimes I am not the best communicator. Sometimes I speak rather quickly, which can lead to misunderstandings. I also learned that some days one good laugh can really make a difference.

While trying to leave the house (for the second time today), my oldest (Dd5) said something about "pickle panties." My mind shouted, "What on earth are pickle panties?!?" My eyes rained tears and all that came out of my mouth for a few brief moments was something like, "AH-UH." (Think of hysterical laughter of the kind one cannot control---Also, I could no longer stand-up straight, which left me looking like I now had a hump for a back!)

When I finally was able to ask her what she was talking about she said, "You know pickle panties. That's what you called the ones Dd2 got for her birthday."

I said, "Oh, it sounded like you said pickle panties."

Dd5: "I did."
(Wow, we are great communicators!)

She stared at me so seriously at this point that I realized she had no idea why I was laughing. I explained that I had called her sister's underwear big girl panties. "Big girl" must have sounded like "pickle" to her. I have seriously giggled about this all day. Happily, she has also. It has made the day of morning errands much less dreary. It's nice to have a little more laughter in our day.

I hope you have a little laughter today.
~Tracy

Without Words

Good Morning! I thought I should start blogging by giving some insight into the origin of the blog’s name. Quite simply, I borrowed the idea from friends. Pretty much every email that I receive from my missionary friends ends with, ”Preach the gospel. Use words if necessary.”

I am a talker by nature. Anyone who has met my mother or grandfather would have seen this coming. My brother is a talker, too. The whole idea of using words if necessary really strikes a chord with me. In the past, you could count on me to fill the awkward silences in groups, jump in with an idea, and even speak in front of a crowd. Talking has been my “gift.” Even the mission work I was involved in when I met my missionary friends is called, “Let’s Start Talking!”(Although, I should point out, the whole idea of LST is: “The WORD is the teacher. We are the illustration.”)

Anyway, as I languished over what to call the blog—(Words are pretty important to me, and I knew that whatever I decided would be around awhile.)—I kept coming across things in my own reading that alluded to the idea of being “won without words.” I finally had a name for the blog! (Of course, that also means now I have no reason to put off writing.)

A personal note to the reader: The idea of being somewhat “instantly published” freaks me out terribly. Please bear with me as I learn to use my words more carefully.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I hope to visit with you again soon.

~ Tracy