How to Have a Green Baby

First, be green parents!

♫ I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know;
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world . . . ♫

—Louis Armstrong

These two Heroes have a baby on the way; they want him to grow up in a wonderful world. Honoring Mother Earth is intentional for Pete and Anna. Her post called Voluntary Simplicity sums up their way of life.

Before they even had a yard, they were part of a neighborhood garden, and during the summer they commit to buying fruits and vegetables grown locally. They are anxious to eat real food. Pete soaks his beans and cooks delicious Mexican dishes, and Anna makes homemade graham crackers and wheat thins (among other specialties) to cut down on the chemicals in processed foods. She calls herself a flexitarian: not a fanatic, but opting for the healthier option whenever possible.

To lighten their ecological footprint they ride the bus, walk, bike and carpool. Errands are thoughtfully planned—they don't run around town willy-nilly mucking up the air unnecessarily. And little PJ will not be contributing diapers to the dump.

A Bumkins Diaper

When Pete announced their decision to use cloth diapers I had memories of rusted duckie safety pins, endless origami-type folding, and stiff, crackling plastic pants. I'm a little behind.

(No droopy drawers nowadays.)

Modern Bun Warmers

While working full-time as the director of a kid's summer camp, Anna has found time to make dozens of Little Bunz; they coordinate with the onesies and rompers she has created using remnant materials. (One of baby PJ's outfits was made from the shirt paramedics cut off when Pete had his bike accident.)

It's not easy being green, but for Anna and Pete it's worth the extra effort. They are great customers at yard sales, looking for wooden toys, and gently-used baby furniture. Anna is committed (read her pledge) to "re-using the resources that are already floating around in the world."

Even for her baby showers, Anna has requested pre-loved, or homemade items rather than expensive baby clothes, or plastic toys that contain harmful chemicals, like PVC. Green parents love to receive books, which will be treasured and remembered. New or used, they can be passed on to another home, even though the stories remain in a child's heart forever—the ultimate in recycling.

It's not always greener on the other side of the fence. I've left a lot of plastic water bottles, and paper plates littering my little plot of Mother Earth. I'm impressed with the new owners who are cleaning up after me, and improving the view for everybody.

♫ I see skies of blue, clouds of white,
Bright blessed days, dark sacred nights.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world. ♫

Loving the natural world

"the upward lift of rock to heaven
like hands held up in prayer."
—Anna