Baby Gift Idea

FYI: I am not a very crafty lady. It has taken me an entire year to create a scrapbook for my step-mother which I still haven't sent to her. One thing I did learn how to make years ago, though, is a diaper cake. I have made several of them over the years. Mostly for co-workers having babies. It can be difficult to choose baby gifts, and this one is ultra practical although it can get very expensive. I usually do it for someone when I have collected money from a few people. To make a really good one it will cost about $125 at least.

This is what you do:

Go to a store that has all the small baby items you can find. Little travel packs of diaper cream, bath lotions, shampoo. Receiving blankets and face clothes are great because they are generally already rolled up. Any small item will work. Nail care sets, small toys...I will explain why and show you how it looks. Make sure you get a stuffy of some sort to go on top.

Take some size 1 diapers in stacks of 4-5 and set them on their sides creating a small diamond/square shape. Fill in the center and add more diapers on the corners creating almost a round shape. Add more using the same method until you have a large circle. You will need almost a full mega-pack for this layer and another half for the second. Have someone hold the shape and cut some ribbon. Loop it around the circle and pull tightly to tie in a knot. Be very careful at this point because if you pull too tightly, the ribbon will ride up on one side and the layer will fall apart causing some frustration (yes, I know this from experience). Make a smaller circle to go on top.

Make sure you stack the layers so that there are a few diapers on the bottom layer exposed. It will look like a tiered wedding cake. Start putting small gifts in the cracks. The blankets work nicely in those hollow spots that are inevitable. Now I will give you a visual...

this shows all the little things before it was wrapped

a little closer

Now, I should have said this earlier, but make a cardboard cut the same size as the bottom layer (before you put anything on it, set the bottom layer on the cardboard to trace). Place it under the whole thing as you create. Look for some baby oriented clear cellophane or a solid color that is clear or light will do as well. You'll probably need 2 rolls. They are never wide enough it seems, so you have to set the first roll down, then the second over it perpendicular to the first creating a square center to put the cake on--cardboard and all. Bring the inner layer up around and see how much you have left as you will make a neck with ribbon strands when it is ready. Pull the other roll up around. You will have to mess with it a bit to cover the entire cake (depending on the width, of course). This is how it looks when I present it to the new parents...

See what I mean about the size the the wrap?

I had a friend show me how it to these while I was pregnant with Seth. I always thought it was a unique and thoughtful gift.

The Stroller

So, anyone that has been through a marriage/relationship break-up has an understanding of how petty things can get sometimes. When Sidney was born, my parents bought me a new stroller for him. I had said no when they first asked if I wanted one, since I already had the first one they gave when Seth was a baby, but then I saw one that I really loved and they bought it. It has 3 huge wheels, allowing for large strides and brisk pace. When I moved all of my things I just couldn't fit everything in right away, so I left some things (including the stroller) with John temporarily. Anyhow, I asked to have the stroller back on several occasions and he would say, "oh yeah, I forgot" or whatever. He had no intentions of giving it back. I don't say this to be mean, it's just what happened at the time. We fought back and forth, and I finally got it back about 1 year later.

I got my "tubes tied" when I had Sidney, so I am not having more babies myself. It is with mixed feelings--some frustration as well as some happiness--that I am giving the stroller back to John to use for Jones. I could sell it to someone else out of spite, but that is not who I am. After the baby was born I said to Blake that I was giving the stroller back, and he said "so he gets it in the end anyhow!" to which I replied with a nasty grumble that I will not repeat as it included bad language. I can't say there isn't a little bitter part of me that just doesn't want to give it up, but as usual, my kind thoughts override and I will give it to them. I can also say in truth that I can do it with a happy heart. Babies are expensive!

Divorce--Sidney's Perspective

Sidney was only 1 year old when I moved from our family home. Many would say "why didn't you keep the house?" Well, I am a realist and I could not afford to take it on alone. It is funny to have conversations with him. Small ones have such a unique perspective.

We were driving in the car one time, Sid and I, and he was talking about Grammie (John's mom). I was responding to what he was saying, and he says..."Mama, do you know Grammie?" I said "Of course I do, Bubba". Then he says "Well, I never seed you talking to her before."

After thinking on it, I realized that he has never seen us in the same room together. Not since his very early childhood. Huh! True story.

Another day we were talking about babies. Monica's is due this month, so Sidney was saying that you get married, then you get a baby in your belly. I told him, close enough. Then he asked if I had one in my belly. Noooooo. I said, "I was married before Sidney." he says "To who?" I said "Well, Daddy."..."MYYYY DADDY?" followed by a lot of giggles. Funny how he would find that so amusing, but how can he not when he has never ever seen us together before?

I also had a relationship in between splitting with John and becoming involved with Blake. His name is Doug. Sidney got pretty close with him. Closer than Seth did for sure. I decided after too long in that it was not going to work for me and my children long term. He is a nice enough person, but just didn't want what I wanted in a relationship. Everything changes when you have children. They are an extension of you and must be included in the equation to a high degree. I must say though, Sidney's concern for Doug is that he is not alone. A friend told me he was with someone so when I told Sidney that Doug had a new girlfriend, all was well in his world. He just doesn't want anyone to be all alone.

Lastly, we have moved to 4 different places since I moved out of the house. Their father has moved once. Sidney has proven to be a very adaptable child. Very accepting of change and quick to adjust to new surroundings, provided his personal comforts are at hand.

Kidney Stones

I am feeling a lot of sympathy for Monica right now. The poor woman is due to have a baby at the end of May and she had a kidney stone attack yesterday! She called to let me know she was hospitalized because she was going to take the boys for the weekend. I am going to take the boys to see her tonight. They will like that. Their father is away until the middle of May, so they like to make sure she is ok while he is away.