August 24, 2011
Sophia's Sense of Humor
My friend Sozan accidentally discovered something that made Sophia laugh. Oh how I would love to know what is going on in that little brain that makes it so amusing for her.
August 22, 2011
43 Steps For Stressing Yourself Out. To the Max.
I feel like my life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately, at least in regards to my travel documents. It's been an...interesting...experience trying to get my passport and my greencard up to date. Just my luck that both documents were set to expire within weeks of each other, and just a few weeks before we had planned to fly to Manitoba to visit my family.
I wouldn't wish this stress on anyone. But just in case there are people out there who feel like there lives just aren't stressful enough, I've provided a helpful, step-by-step guide to achieving a big, fat travel/legal document headache, and by the end of it, you'll need that vacation you've been planning! Here we go!
Step 2. Have a baby and completely forget about immigration paperwork.
Step 3. April 2011 - Realize that my greencard is going to expire in June and that we're planning on flying to Manitoba in August, so I REALLY need to send out the paperwork to renew my card.
Step 4. Fill out the greencard renewal form and go to the bank to get a big fat money order.
Step 5. Silently curse the heavens that greencards cost so much money.
Step 6. Go to the post office and pay a hefty fee to get my forms to their destination right quick.
Step 7. Receive two letters within a week's time. Letter #1: "We got your paperwork, and you will receive another letter instructing you what to do next." Letter #2: "Go to Seattle to have your fingerprints captured and your picture taken."
Step 8. May 2011 - Go to the Department of Homeland Security in Seattle to have my fingerprints captured and my picture taken, then spend a nice afternoon in Seattle with Art and Sophia.
Step 9. Wait for my greencard to arrive in the mail.
Step 10. While I'm waiting, realize that my Canadian passport is going to expire in July, and that we're planning on flying to Manitoba in August, and proceed to fill out those renewal forms.
Step 11. Go to Sears to have my passport photos taken.
Step 12. Go to the post office and pay a nice hefty fee to get my forms to their Canadian destination right quick.
Step 13. Silently curse the heavens that I have to dish out so much money in such a short space of time to get new legal documents.
Step 14. Still waiting for my new greencard, and trying not to panic, as my old greencard has now expired.
Step 15. Rejoice when FedEx shows up at my door a couple of weeks later with a package from Canada.
Step 16. Silently curse the heavens when I open the package and see my old passport, my forms, my photos, and a letter of rejection from the passport people because my photos were too shiny.
Step 17. Go back to Sears, explain what happened, and get new, less shiny photos taken for free.
Step 18. Go back to the post office and fill out some forms to have my passport sent International Guarantee (very fast, very expensive), while trying to quiet my fussy baby in her stroller.
Step 19. Silently curse the heavens when I'm told that I need to provide the phone number of the destination in order to send it International Guarantee. I don't have that phone number on me.
Step 20. Gather up all those papers and rush out of the post office, with a plan to go home, find the phone number, and return to the post office.
Step 21. Silently curse the heavens when some of the papers fly out of my hand and go sailing around the post office parking lot, forcing me to abandon my very fussy baby in her stroller while I chase down said papers.
Step 22. Get everybody and everything in the car and decide to feed Sophia right there, before we go home.
Step 23. Silently curse the heavens when I discover that Sophia has a leaky diaper, and that both our clothes have big wet stains on them.
Step 24. Go back home. Find the phone number. Write it on the form. Change my clothes. Change Sophia's clothes and diaper. Feed her a little bit more. Put her back in her car seat. Gather up all my papers. Haul everybody and everything back down to the car. Go back to the post office. Pay an extremely hefty fee to have my passport go back to its destination really really really quick.
Step 25. Rejoice when, a few days later, I receive a letter in the mail from the Dept. of Homeland Security.
Step 26. Start to worry as I feel the envelope and notice that there is no greencard in that envelope.
Step 27. Open the envelope, and read the rejection letter in complete disbelief.
Step 28. Go online and try to figure out what that letter is talking about and what it all means.
Step 29. Completely lose it as I realize that my greencard has now expired, which means I technically have no legal basis for being in the States, and that I could possibly be deported.
Step 30. Call the National Customer Service line for the Dept. of Homeland Security to ask what I should do.
Step 31. Make an appointment to go down to Seattle to speak to an immigration officer in person.
Step 32. Go to the appointment, and find sweet sweet relief when I hear that it's not a big deal, and that I can simply file the correct paperwork with a letter of explanation, and that I could also request a refund, since I paid big money with the previous application, and got nothing for it.
[Explanation: When I got my greencard (aka became a permanent resident), it was based on the fact that I first had a spousal visa. This is called a Conditional Permanent Resident. I had absolutely no clue that that's what I was. When my greencard was going to expire, what I was supposed to do was file to remove the conditions of my greencard. Why they make it so complicated I have no idea.]
Step 33. Fill out the correct form, write a letter of explanation, photocopy a whole bunch of supporting evidence, go back to the bank and take out yet another, even bigger money order to pay for this new application.
Step 34. Silently curse the heavens that we have now paid over $1000 on all of this and have nothing to show for it.
Step 34. Silently curse the heavens that we have now paid over $1000 on all of this and have nothing to show for it.
Step 35. Go back to the post office, pay yet another hefty fee to make sure that these forms get to their destination overnight.
Step 36. Send up a prayer of desperation as I realize that we're supposed to fly out to Manitoba in 10 days .
Step 37. Impatiently wait for a letter from the Dept. of Homeland Security.
Step 38. Try to call the National Customer Service line for the Dept. of Homeland Security. They tell me that I must simply wait for the letter to arrive in the mail.
Step 39. Rejoice when I get a letter from the Dept. of Homeland Security the very next day.
Step 40. Rejoice even more when I read in the letter that the expiration date on my greencard has been extended for one year.
Step 41. Call National Customer Service again to ask about being able to cross the border and fly out to Manitoba.
Step 42. Make yet ANOTHER appointment to go back down the Dept. of Homeland Security in Seattle to speak to an immigration officer in person, so that they may stamp my passport, so that I may go back and forth across the border with no issues. By the way, the date of this appointment? Is the day before we are supposed to fly out to Manitoba. Talk about last minute!
Step 43. Apologize to God for all the silent cursing, thank Him for working it all out, and vow to try and trust Him more.
August 20, 2011
5 Month Update
I can't believe my little girl is 5 months old! One more month until she's half a year. Half a year! How has that much time passed already?
So what has she been up to?
1. Still lots of drooling, and sucking on her fingers. I learned that this is indeed a sign of teething. I also learned that there is a difference between "teething" and "cutting teeth." She isn't cutting teeth yet (thank goodness. I am not looking forward to that time).
2. She doesn't "talk" as much as she used to. Art commented on this the other day, and I told him that I think it's because she's concentrating on other new skills and developments.
3. She sometimes reaches for things intentionally, but even if she's just stretching out her arm, if she feels something near her palm, she'll often try to grab it, and if she succeeds, she'll try to bring it to her mouth. Her favorites are the burp cloth, her own clothes, and my hair.
I find it slightly amusing (and sometimes annoying) that she would rather stare at her teething toys than chew on them. Which means I have to hold it in front of her (when I would rather just give it to her and be able to walk away and do something).
4. She can't sit unsupported, but she tries to sit up, from a laying down position. She also tries to roll from her back to her front, but she can only get to her side. I tried to get a picture of this, but she only does it during a diaper change, and, as cute as it is, I am not putting her bare bum on my blog.
I find it slightly amusing (and sometimes annoying) that she would rather stare at her teething toys than chew on them. Which means I have to hold it in front of her (when I would rather just give it to her and be able to walk away and do something).
4. She can't sit unsupported, but she tries to sit up, from a laying down position. She also tries to roll from her back to her front, but she can only get to her side. I tried to get a picture of this, but she only does it during a diaper change, and, as cute as it is, I am not putting her bare bum on my blog.
5. She rubs her eyes with the back of her hands when she's tired. It's so cute!
6. She often pulls at her hair and ears when nursing. I don't know why she does this and it kind of bothers me, because it looks like she's hurting herself! I try to hold her hand and sing to her. This seems to help.
7. At her last check-up she weighed 13lbs. I'm guessing she's close to 15lbs now.
8. She still sleeps through the night. She usually goes down around 9:30 or 10:00, but she'll almost always wake up, and so it ends up being 11:00 before she's asleep for good. She wakes up around 7am or 8am, nurses, and then goes back to sleep for an hour or so. There was a short period of time not too long ago where she started waking up around 4am or 5am and then wanting to play! But that's done now. (*Fingers crossed*)
9. We're still going strong with breastfeeding (I don't plan on stopping for at least another year). But now we're getting into the distracted nursing phase, which is not so fun. She starting to look around if she hears someone talking, and most of the time she unlatches when she does this. This sometimes means her feeding is cut short, which could result in another feeding soon after. C'est la vie.
10. Another thing that she really pays attention to is when I eat. I'm excited by this because it means she's going to start solids soon! I'm doing what's known as Baby Led Solids (or Baby Led Weaning). The idea is that you wait for your baby to tell you when they are ready to try table food. Most parents know when that time comes because the baby tried to grab food off their plate! :)
I've never liked the idea of starting Sophia on rice cereal, and I'm glad to know that I don't have to! When she's ready (and when she can sit up unsupported), I can start giving her my food. And it makes so much sense, that she would just start eating the food that I eat. And maybe this way I can ensure that she won't be a picky eater. (*Fingers crossed*)
In preparation for her journey with solids, I have been giving her tiny tastes of my food. I grab the tiniest little piece, squish it between my fingers, put my finger in her mouth, and let her nosh for a few seconds (in hopes that she'll swallow it, which doesn't always happen).
So far she's tried:
- chocolate (this happened when she was 2 weeks old, and it's Art's fault. I will not give her chocolate on a regular basis)
- mint ice cream (this one is my fault, but again, not something that she will eat on a regular basis)
- eggs
- blueberries
- salmon
- avocado
- watermelon
- bananas (she LOVES bananas)
- bacon juices and sausage juices.
How do I feel 5 months in? It's so much fun being a parent and watching your child grow and learn and discover new things. Thus far, I don't feel like she's growing up too fast. I'm not dreading the concept of her getting older. The older she gets, the more fun and interesting all of our lives become. Of course, I'll probably be eating my words when I find myself shopping for her first bra...
August 15, 2011
Happy Family News
I have a new niece!
On Friday, August 12, at 5:21 pm, my sister gave birth to a little girl: Haley Joy. Here are just a few pictures of this sweet little girl (that I totally stole from my sister's blog).

We're planning a trip to Manitoba in a couple of weeks to see the family. I can hardly wait to meet this munchkin!
For those of you who would like to read the story of Haley's birth, click here!
August 12, 2011
My Cloth Diapering Experience: Part 2
This post goes along with the previous cloth diaper post, so if you haven't already, please read Part 1.
In this post, I'm going to address some of the questions and comments I've heard or received in regards to cloth diapering. This is not meant to be a guilt trip on anyone who doesn't use cloth diapers; I'm not trying to start an argument. I'm simply going to tell you how it's been for me.
1. "I could never cloth diaper: it would be too much work!"
My experience: Since I'm assuming that "work" here means "laundry", I'll tell you my laundry routine: One cold rinse, one hot wash with detergent, one cold rinse, once through the dryer. If bleach is used to get rid of stains, add two more rinses. [Btw, I don't bleach that often, maybe every other month, because it's hard on the diapers, and because it's such a long laundry routine.]
I wash the diapers every other day, because I only have 17 diapers in my rotation. I have over 50 diapers in my stash, but only 17 fit Sophia at the moment. As she gets bigger, I'll be able to add 19 more diapers to the rotation, and have fewer laundry days. I'm sure many moms think: "I already do so much laundry, I don't want to have to wash diapers too!" I look at it this way: "What's one more load of laundry every few days?"
I wash the diapers every other day, because I only have 17 diapers in my rotation. I have over 50 diapers in my stash, but only 17 fit Sophia at the moment. As she gets bigger, I'll be able to add 19 more diapers to the rotation, and have fewer laundry days. I'm sure many moms think: "I already do so much laundry, I don't want to have to wash diapers too!" I look at it this way: "What's one more load of laundry every few days?"
Plus: washing diapers isn't a lot of work compared to how many clothes I have to wash due to diaper explosions. You want to talk about a lot of work? Dealing with this, every single day, sometimes several times a day is a lot of work.
This was an all too-common occurrence when Sophia wore disposable diapers. I'd have to wash her clothes, my clothes (because she loves to poop while she's in my lap nursing), any blankets she may have been wrapped in, plus run a bath for her. THAT is work. Work I'm not willing to do. The "work" involved with cloth diapering is so much more rewarding, and therefore, for me, doesn't seem like work.
2. "Cloth diapers are so expensive! I could never pay that much money for just one diaper."
My experience: I've looked at many, many cloth diaper websites, and seen many, many brands and types of diapers out there, at all different prices. Prefolds are the cheapest, at less than $3 per diaper. Goodmama diapers are the most expensive I've ever seen, at $35-40 per diaper! And then there's everything in between. Whatever your budget, I'm sure you can find diapers that will work for you and your baby.
I recently did the math, and found out that I own 51 cloth diapers, and 14 diaper covers. The retail value of my stash is about $465. Of course, I did not buy all my diapers myself. I received a lot of them as gifts. The ones I did buy, I bought over time. A few of them I purchased used. $400 is considered the average cost for an adequate diaper stash. But you could probably do it for half that cost.
Another way I look at is that I may be shelling out $20 or so per diaper, but those diapers will last for several months, or maybe until Sophia is potty trained. And I can use them for more than one baby (if they're still in good condition). Once I'm done having babies, and my babies are potty trained, I could resell some of my diapers for a small profit. Any way you slice it, I am more than getting my money's worth.
3. "I don't want to deal with the poop!"
My experience: Let me show you this picture again.
I think either way, you're going to deal with poop. I don't mind a poopy cloth diaper. But a poop-covered baby? And a poop-covered mommy? And poop-covered blankets? No thank you.
4. "Don't your laundry costs go up?"
My experience: Yes, our laundry costs have gone up. I have two thoughts on this.
a. I feel that having a baby makes your laundry costs go up anyway. Diaper leaks, spit up, drool...all of our clothes have to be washed all the time. Like I mentioned before, what's one more load of laundry every couple of days?
b. The cost of diapers plus the cost of laundry is still less than the cost of disposable diapers. We're still saving at least $1000 per year.
5. "I've heard that cloth diapers are less absorbent than disposable diapers. Won't all that moisture cause more leaks and diaper rashes?"
My experience: Sophia's diapers are not leak-proof. And she does get the occasional rash. If a diaper isn't tucked into a cover properly, or if she's in one for too long, there will be leaks. If she poops during the night and she's in that diaper until morning, she'll get a rash. But it really depends on the materials, and how the diaper is made.
This is yet another reason why I love pocket diapers. They can be stuffed to the max to make sure that nothing leaks out. And many pocket diapers are made so that the moisture wicks right through the pocket and is absorbed by the padding inside, so that the baby doesn't feel as much moisture.
Also, most cloth diapers are made from natural materials that are less likely to irritate the baby's skin. Having plenty of bamboo, hemp, and wool in a cloth diaper stash can go a long way in preventing both leaks and rashes.
Of course, if the diaper doesn't fit Sophia properly, it doesn't matter how absorbent it is, it will leak. But if we get the fit right, well, I've often been surprised just how much that diaper can hold.
Finally, if a rash does occur, I can always turn to Grandma El's diaper cream. It's cloth diaper friendly, and just happens to smell like Redbull! [According to Art and Wayne, who used to drink A LOT of Redbull.]
6. "Cloth diapers look like they'd be bulky."
My experience: Yes, they're bulkier than disposables. But I hardly see that as a problem. Sophia can still wear her clothes and we can still buckle her into her car seat. And I think she looks cute with a padded bum. :)
6. "Cloth diapers look like they'd be bulky."
My experience: Yes, they're bulkier than disposables. But I hardly see that as a problem. Sophia can still wear her clothes and we can still buckle her into her car seat. And I think she looks cute with a padded bum. :)
7. "What about the horrible diaper pail smell?"
My experience: my diaper pail really doesn't smell that bad. Because:
a. Breast milk poop doesn't smell that bad.
b. My diaper pail has a lid on it.
c. I do laundry every other day, so the dirty diapers don't sit in the pail all that long.
d. I have a Kissaluvs antibacterial pail liner, which I toss in with the diapers every other load.
e. If I was worried about odor, I could just add a little bit of Rockin Green pail freshener.
f. When she starts eating solids, I will spray the poop off of the diapers into the toilet before placing said diaper into the pail.
8. "Cloth diapers aren't convenient for travel."
8. "Cloth diapers aren't convenient for travel."
My experience: true. But we don't do a ton of travelling. For most outings, I only have to take one or two diapers with me. And while you might think it gross to carry around a dirty diaper, well, that's what wet bags are for! I just toss the diaper and wipes in the wet bag, zip it shut, and when I get home, both the contents of the bag and the bag itself go into the laundry.
So there you have it. I've been cloth diapering Sophia for almost five months now, and I don't feel like it's been too much work. In fact, I quite enjoy it! I feel that we're doing the best thing for Sophia's health, for the environment, and for our wallet.
Besides, cloth diapers are so much more fun than disposables! How can you possibly resist these?
So there you have it. I've been cloth diapering Sophia for almost five months now, and I don't feel like it's been too much work. In fact, I quite enjoy it! I feel that we're doing the best thing for Sophia's health, for the environment, and for our wallet.
Besides, cloth diapers are so much more fun than disposables! How can you possibly resist these?
Someday I will own all of the above....I LOVE cloth diapers!!!
August 8, 2011
My Cloth Diapering Experience: Part 1
For those of you who don't already know, I am a cloth diapering mama. When I found out I was pregnant, Art and I agreed that we would do whatever we could so that I would be a stay-at-home mom. One of the areas where I knew we could save money was diapers. We don't have enough money in our budget to spend $1600-$2000 on diapers that we're just going to throw away.
So I hopped online and started to research like CRAZY. I spent so much time on cloth diaper websites that I had dreams about it. I looked at brands, styles, materials, prices, accessories, and how to care for them. My interest quickly grew into obsession. I had no problem admitting that I loved cloth diapers, and would enjoy putting them on my baby.
I registered for many cloth diapers, and received some at my various baby showers. My mom bought me several after Sophia was born. I used a few gift cards to purchase more and made my stash what it is today. So here is my entire stash (more or less), and my thoughts on how they fit and how they perform.
So I hopped online and started to research like CRAZY. I spent so much time on cloth diaper websites that I had dreams about it. I looked at brands, styles, materials, prices, accessories, and how to care for them. My interest quickly grew into obsession. I had no problem admitting that I loved cloth diapers, and would enjoy putting them on my baby.
I registered for many cloth diapers, and received some at my various baby showers. My mom bought me several after Sophia was born. I used a few gift cards to purchase more and made my stash what it is today. So here is my entire stash (more or less), and my thoughts on how they fit and how they perform.
These are Econobum covers, and they each came with three prefolds (not pictured). [Prefolds are square diapers that get folded into thirds before they go on baby/in cover.] These are one-size covers (fitting approx. 8-35 lbs), but Sophia is only now able to wear them (and she is over 13 lbs). I bought them because they quite inexpensive (hence the name), and the covers are very thin, so they're a very trim option. They leaked the first time she wore them, but not the second time. So I'm crossing my fingers that they will work!
New - $9 each
New - $9 each
Pictured above are two Mother-ease one-size diapers, one Bummis cover (sm.), and one Starbunz panda cover (med.). Sophia has yet to grow into the panda cover, and she is thisclose to fitting into the diapers and other cover. She wore them one time, and they worked just fine, but I won't be truly adding them into my rotation until she gets a bit bigger and I can be more sure of the fit.
M.E. new - $13 each
Bummis new - $13 each
Starbunz new - $21 each (quite expensive for a cover, but look how cute it is!)
Starbunz new - $21 each (quite expensive for a cover, but look how cute it is!)
These buttery soft diapers are Kawaii bamboo minky diapers. [Bamboo on the inside, minky on the outside.] I actually have three from this brand, not two, but the third is in the laundry. These are one-size pocket diapers. Pockets are very popular because they're (usually) not as bulky, a bit cheaper, and you can customize the absorbency. These each come with two bamboo inserts, so they're great for night time. These particular diapers are bulky on Sophia, so she's only worn them twice, and only at night, but so far so good!
New - $12 each [So cheap, yet so reliable!]
New - $12 each [So cheap, yet so reliable!]
This is one of my Flip one-size covers with a few small Cloth-eez Indian cotton prefolds. Probably the most difficult system to deal with [fold prefold into thirds, lay it inside the cover, try to get it to stay that way while putting it on a squirmy baby], but it's cheap and extremely reliable. The Flip covers came with prefolds of their own (not pictured), but those are too big at the moment. Surprisingly trim. If your budget was really tight, you could easily have an entire stash of just these, and I think you'd be quite happy.
C.E. sm. new - $3 each (I have six)
C.E. med. new - $3 each (I have six, not pictured)
C.E. med. new - $3 each (I have six, not pictured)
Flip new - $17 each, with prefolds, or $13 w/o prefolds (I have three)
These lovely fleece diapers and fleece covers were homemade by a friend of a former coworker. I just tried them on Sophia a few days ago and was excited to discover that they fit! Four more diapers to add to the rotation. I haven't used the fleece covers yet, because that would be way too bulky under clothes. But I'm sure they work wonderfully at night. [Now that the weather is so warm, Sophia sleeps with just a diaper, in a sleep sack.] One of these days I'll work up the courage to use a fleece cover. I hear it's super absorbent, but I have yet to put it to the test.

These are my one-size All-In-Ones (aka OS AIO) by bumGenius. [All-In-One simply means that the absorbent layers and waterproof cover are all one piece.] These are definitely my easiest diapers. Just snap it on - that's it! They're a bit bulky, but not too bulky that she can't wear them under clothes. They're fairly reliable, but they are prone to leaks, because the elastic around the legs isn't in top shape anymore (a risk I took by buying them used). I'm perfectly satisfied with them for daytime, but I wouldn't use them at night. (I might if they were brand new...)
Used - $17 each
New- $25 each

These are AIO x-small by bumGenius. Unfortunately Sophia has outgrown these now. It's a pity, because not only are they so easy, but they're also quite trim, for being an AIO. How did they perform when she did wear them? So-so. Sophia's such a skinny girl that even these were too big for her when she was a newborn, so they leaked quite a bit. I stopped having leaks only when she got bigger, and I had to make them quite snug on her. A chunkier newborn would have more success with these.
New - $13 each

These are my OS pocket diapers by bumGenius. Each diaper comes with two inserts: a newborn size insert, and a sizeable insert. Hands down, these my most reliable diapers (as far as leak prevention goes), so they have become Sophia's nighttime diapers. They are a bit bulky on her right now, but it's not a problem, since they're never worn under clothing.
New - $18 each

This is an Applecheeks pocket diaper. It can be purchased with or without an insert (insert shown is not Applecheeks brand). This is definitely Art's favorite diaper. He'll always reach for this one first. It's super soft, both inside and outside, and it's quite trim, even when double-stuffed. I was singing this diaper's praises for a while, but I've decided that I don't like it so much after all.
Applecheeks does a two-size system, so it will only fit her until she's approx. 18 lbs, then I have to buy the next size up. It does give a more accurate fit, but I'm not getting as much for my money as I would with a one-size. Also, I consistently have leakage problems with this one. I don't know why. I'm sad that it's not working out as I had hoped, because it comes in so many bright fun colors. And did I mention how soft it is?
These are my one-size All-In-Ones (aka OS AIO) by bumGenius. [All-In-One simply means that the absorbent layers and waterproof cover are all one piece.] These are definitely my easiest diapers. Just snap it on - that's it! They're a bit bulky, but not too bulky that she can't wear them under clothes. They're fairly reliable, but they are prone to leaks, because the elastic around the legs isn't in top shape anymore (a risk I took by buying them used). I'm perfectly satisfied with them for daytime, but I wouldn't use them at night. (I might if they were brand new...)
Used - $17 each
New- $25 each
These are AIO x-small by bumGenius. Unfortunately Sophia has outgrown these now. It's a pity, because not only are they so easy, but they're also quite trim, for being an AIO. How did they perform when she did wear them? So-so. Sophia's such a skinny girl that even these were too big for her when she was a newborn, so they leaked quite a bit. I stopped having leaks only when she got bigger, and I had to make them quite snug on her. A chunkier newborn would have more success with these.
New - $13 each
These are my OS pocket diapers by bumGenius. Each diaper comes with two inserts: a newborn size insert, and a sizeable insert. Hands down, these my most reliable diapers (as far as leak prevention goes), so they have become Sophia's nighttime diapers. They are a bit bulky on her right now, but it's not a problem, since they're never worn under clothing.
New - $18 each
This is an Applecheeks pocket diaper. It can be purchased with or without an insert (insert shown is not Applecheeks brand). This is definitely Art's favorite diaper. He'll always reach for this one first. It's super soft, both inside and outside, and it's quite trim, even when double-stuffed. I was singing this diaper's praises for a while, but I've decided that I don't like it so much after all.
Applecheeks does a two-size system, so it will only fit her until she's approx. 18 lbs, then I have to buy the next size up. It does give a more accurate fit, but I'm not getting as much for my money as I would with a one-size. Also, I consistently have leakage problems with this one. I don't know why. I'm sad that it's not working out as I had hoped, because it comes in so many bright fun colors. And did I mention how soft it is?
New - $19 each (IMO, take the money you would have spent on this one and buy a different diaper.)
These are my Kissaluvs Size 0, with a Bummis cover x-sm. These were my go-to diapers when Sophia was a newborn. Even though it's a two-part system, it's very reliable. If the diaper is completely tucked into the cover and the cover is snug, Sophia could wear these overnight, with no leaks! (She doesn't now, because she's outgrown them, but she has.) If you're going to buy diapers for your newborn, I highly recommend these. They served me very well.
KL new - $14 each
Bummis new - $13 each
To go along with my cloth diapers, I also use cloth wipes. I got SO MANY baby washcloths (70, I think?), so I converted most of them to wipes. I stash them (usually a lot neater than that) in an old disposable wipes container. [I use the wipe pod for travel.] The wipes are dry, and I mix my own solution and spray the wipe right before I use it.
The recipe I use for the wipe spray is: 1 cup hot water, 1 chamomile tea bag, 1 tsp liquid baby soap, 1 tsp grapeseed oil, and 1 drop lavender oil. I make this in a jar, and refill the spray bottle as needed. One jar lasts about six weeks. [You can find more cloth wipe solution recipes here.]
And this is where I store everything. A basket, on the floor in the living room, near our couch. I nurse her on the couch, and for me, it's easiest to have her diaper station close to the nursing station.
So now that you've seen my stash, what I want to know is: how many of you knew that cloth diapers could be snapped or Velcro-ed shut, making them as easy to put on as a disposable? Or how many of you knew that diapers could come in so many pretty/fun colors and designs? These are not the cloth diapers from your grandma's day, and thank goodness!
Up next, addressing frequently asked questions and oft-made comments from those who think that cloth diapering is just crazy. :)
August 5, 2011
A Sneak Peak at Next Week
I just wanted to give everyone a head's up about a couple of posts that will appear here next week. I'm trying to build the anticipation until it reaches mass hysteria. ;)
I'm going to be publishing two posts about cloth diapers. It's taken me over a month to put these posts together, and they are finally ready! [I have no idea why it's taken so long. But I'm glad they're finally written.] The first post is scheduled to go up on Monday, and Part Deux will go up on Wednesday.
What's the reason for these two posts? [And my strange need to preview them like this?] Well, I am the only mom I know who cloth diapers her baby. [Besides the mommy blogs I read, and mommy Facebook groups. But I've never met any of those women.] I had never touched a cloth diaper or seen one on a baby until I bought cloth diapers and put them on my baby. I feel like a bit of a pioneer.
You know how they say "when it rains, it pours"? Well, when I found out I was pregnant, suddenly it seemed like every woman around me was pregnant. Women from my gym were becoming moms for the first time (and some were having their second babies). Women I used to work with were having their first or second babies. My cousin is pregnant, my sister is pregnant, blog friends became pregnant, college friends in Canada got pregnant, former high school classmates, several women from my current church AND my church back home announced their pregnancies.
Yet among all these, I am the only one whose baby wears cloth instead of disposables. [Okay, I think one of the women from the gym cloth diapers her boy. I would be surprised if she didn't. She seems like the crunchy type.]
What's the reason for these two posts? [And my strange need to preview them like this?] Well, I am the only mom I know who cloth diapers her baby. [Besides the mommy blogs I read, and mommy Facebook groups. But I've never met any of those women.] I had never touched a cloth diaper or seen one on a baby until I bought cloth diapers and put them on my baby. I feel like a bit of a pioneer.
You know how they say "when it rains, it pours"? Well, when I found out I was pregnant, suddenly it seemed like every woman around me was pregnant. Women from my gym were becoming moms for the first time (and some were having their second babies). Women I used to work with were having their first or second babies. My cousin is pregnant, my sister is pregnant, blog friends became pregnant, college friends in Canada got pregnant, former high school classmates, several women from my current church AND my church back home announced their pregnancies.
Yet among all these, I am the only one whose baby wears cloth instead of disposables. [Okay, I think one of the women from the gym cloth diapers her boy. I would be surprised if she didn't. She seems like the crunchy type.]
I'm sure most of these moms have never even considered cloth diapers. Or maybe they just assumed it would be too hard. But maybe some moms would be interested, but they don't know were to start. And at least a few of these moms read my blog.
So I've decided to post about my journey with cloth diapers thus far, in hopes that some might find the information not only interesting, but also helpful.
By the way, if you are interested in cloth diapers, but aren't sure where to begin, check out AllAboutClothDiapers.com. This website is the reason that I feel confident and knowledgeable when it comes to the cloth diaper world.
So I've decided to post about my journey with cloth diapers thus far, in hopes that some might find the information not only interesting, but also helpful.
By the way, if you are interested in cloth diapers, but aren't sure where to begin, check out AllAboutClothDiapers.com. This website is the reason that I feel confident and knowledgeable when it comes to the cloth diaper world.
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