Oh, vinyl

Why do you haunt me? In other words, why does everything I buy smell like chemical death & have to be returned? Most recently: this cute, polkadot Kushies changing pad. Not that you would know from the online product descriptions (including the one on the Kushies website), or the packaging, that this is backed with vinyl. That little gem of information is contained only in tiny type on the pad's tag. Ah, well. Thank goodness for diaper.com's friendly return policy, eh?

In case you missed it, vinyl flooring has been linked to autism, phthalates (contained in PVC/vinyl) have been linked to reduced mental development and softened bones, and phthalate exposure is linked to male reproductive system problems, including feminization of baby boys, altered hormone levels in baby boys and men, reduced sperm concentration and motility, and increased sperm DNA damage in men.

So, needless to say, I've been trying to avoid vinyl/PVC in my home and workplace, as well as in the baby stuff we're buying. It ain't easy, but it's worth it.

Oh, and I finally found a waterproof but scary-chemical-free changing pad:

I heart the Internet & eco-conscious companies!

Hello, world.

Okay, so I'm pregnant and on a mission to make the healthiest baby ever. So I've spent the past 38.5 weeks researching baby (and mama) health and well-being. And herein, I will share the results of my borderline-OCD search. I will also try to reduce the number of manila folders floating around my house. Promise.

For a combination of reasons (saving $$, health/environmental concerns, fun), I am also making a million things for the baby and will be sharing some of my work. I am pretty much untrained, not counting high school home ec, so I gravitate toward really easy projects or projects that don't necessarily require a ton of specialized skill to be attractive and/or functional (think glue + felt). I will do my best to provide lots o' step-by-step instructions and photos for others with crafty leanings/longings and a similar lack of expertise. I also will be linking to an occasional higher-level project that I love in hopes that some kind soul will (a) make it for me or (b) tell me how to do it.

I have been so, so, soo inspired by all of the amazing crafty women out there who are making and blogging! (I'm sure there are some men, too, but I haven't really come across them yet.) Many of my projects come from their patterns or are my own takes on their work, and I will be sure to provide links to their sites.

So welcome, and enjoy.