Types of Cloth Diapers

I have spent a lot of time on several different occasions writing e-mails to people to teach them about how to use cloth diapers.  So, I've finally decided to write a post about that.  Now, if someone asks, I'll send them a link to these posts.

There are several types of cloth diapers.  They range greatly in price and ease of use.

1. Chinese Prefolds - these are the flat white diapers that must be folded each time they are used. They are either secured with pins or with snappies. These are the least expensive diaper.  You must use a diaper cover over them or else they will leak.  I tried these at first (because I was looking to do the cheapest thing possible).  I could not get the hang of folding them and you MUST change the diaper as soon as it is soiled.

2. Contour and Fitted diapers, I think, are similar.  They both are shaped more "diaper-like" and both must be used with a diaper cover.  I tried a contour diaper, and although it would give you a little more time to change a diaper than a pre-fold, I still didn't love them.  I also didn't like using a diaper cover, just one more step.  Although they say you can use a diaper cover over and over until some poo ends up on it, I didn't feel comfortable with that.  I felt like I was putting dirty underwear on the baby, so I would have ended up buy a bunch of diaper covers....which would have made this option just as expensive, if not more, than the system I chose.

3. Pocket diapers - These diaper have elastic legs for a secure fit, and either snaps or velcro to secure it around the baby.  You do not need a diaper cover with pocket diapers, the outer layer is water proof.  You insert a large, thick absorbent pad into the diaper.  I like these the best for a couple of reasons....1. They are easy to use.  They go on like a disposable diaper (mine are velcro). 2. They dry quickly because you remove the insert before washing, so there are two separate pieces.

4. All-in-one diapers - These are the big bad cloth diapers that are the most similar to disposables.  Like the pocket diapers, they have snap or velcro closures.  But, there is no insert to remove, which means one less step. but it also means an incredibly long drying time.

Those are the four basic types of cloth diapers.  There are a few others like g diapers and Flips out there, but I really don't know a lot about those. 

My personal recommendation would be Bum Genius 3.0 one size pocket diapers.  Here's what I like about these...

a. They are one size, which means I can use the same set of diaper from when the baby is about 10 lbs to 30 lbs.  Other brands of pocket diapers (like the very popular fuzzi bunz) are sized. This means you need to buy a set of "small", "medium", and "larges".  However, I have recently heard that fuzzi bunz now has a one size option.

b. I like the way Bum Genius feels over fuzzi bunz...this is probably just a preference.

c. I chose a pocket diaper of an all-in-one because they dry faster, either on the clothes line or in the dyer

d. They are cheaper than an all-in-one because of the extra step of stuffing the diapers.  I don't find this a hindrance or problem.  I actually like that I stuff them, because I can control how much absorbency my baby needs.  Bum Genius gives you two inserts, a small, thin "newborn" insert, and a larger, thicker insert for when the baby is bigger.  You can also double these to make the diaper more absorbent for night time.

e. My diapers are Velcro, which I thought would be easier than snaps, and I still think it is.  The Velcro does wear a bit a faster, but I've used my diapers non-stop for over 2 years, and they are still going strong.

f. I think they are cute :-)

Stay tuned for the next post "How to..."

Happy Birthday Papa

My dad's birthday was this past Tuesday.  He drove in that day from a quick trip to Ohio...so we didn't celebrate his birthday until Wednesday. 

The week before, I helped the girls make a gift for their Papa...this was probably a mistake on my part, because ever since that day, several times a day, Hannah would walk around with her gift and try to sing Happy Birthday Papa.  She was so excited to give him his present:-)  She was even more excited to help blow out the cake candles (as was Nicole). 

We had a fun evening eating fried food, cake and opening gifts. 

Hannah came out of "their" room with bunny ears and Mr. Potato Head glasses on...what a silly girl!

Hannah and Papa have a little game they play with this mustache.  She would get upset if Papa would put it on or put it on her...but she thinks it's funny on this picture (of Hannah when she was a baby). 

There's a First Time for Everything

And of course with a baby around, there are lots of firsts.

Well it has been an exciting 24 hours for Mr. Nathan!  He has had 3 "firsts" in just a few hours.

The First "First"
Last night was his first bite of "food" (if you can call it that).

I think he enjoyed sitting in the high chair.

I do not think he enjoyed the food

He pretty much gagged and choked every time I put the cereal in his mouth.

The Second "First"

Nathan got a new toy this morning.  We've been storing this exersaucer for a few months now.  I like it because it is smaller than the one the girl's had.  I think he likes it (at least for a few minutes).  I think he more likes the fact that the girls are able to play with him a little when he's in it.

 Nicole had fun showing Nathan how to use all of his toys. 

Hello!!!

Oh Yeah...I like this thing! 

Anyone want to wager on who I find in this toy first...Nicole or Hannah?

The Third "First"
NATE ROLLED OVER!!!!!  Yippee!!!!!  I was a little concerned because I was looking back in my blog the other day and happened upon a post where Hannah rolled for the first time, and she was just under 4 months old.  Of course I would never compare my kids:-)  But...I was a little afraid that I haven't been working as much with him physcially as I did with the girls.  So...I was THRILLED this morning when I went to get him from his nap and he was on his back! Woohoo!!!!  Go Nate!!! (no picture of this sorry!)  btw...Nathan turned 4 months old on Monday:-)

And...I thought this was a good picture of "Happy Hannah" and felt the need to share.

Just Because....

...I think these kids are cute

Nathan has been enjoying play time on the floor.  He even got excited and reached for the ball yesterday!  Woohoo...that's my boy.  I hope his first word is "ball"

Hannah is really doing well at puzzles.  She is finally enjoying them and will sit and practice for quite some time.  I'm really happy about this.  For a while she simply couldn't figure out what the toy was:-)  But, not anymore...she's up for the challenge:-)

Nicole wanted in on the picture taking of course.  Her shirt says, "I get my good looks from my dad" Ain't that the truth?!?

Hi baby boy....He's so darn cute!

Our conversation yesterday at lunch.

Nicole: Mommy, I'm all done my belly hurts.
Me: Did you eat all  your lunch?
Nicole: No, there is still some left, but my belly hurts.
Me: OK how much is left?
Nicole: Um...well....I think there is 20 or 25.

What do you think???

Pelicans Pooping on the Pier

I had to name my post that for a few reasons...
1. I thought it was funny
2. Nicole was most fascinated with the white stuff on the pier on our recent trip...that would be Pelican Poop...don't touch
3. I told Jeremy I would name the post that and he sort of rolled his eyes at me....so I had to make good on my word :-)

So...onto what I was going to show.

Saturday night we decided to load up the kids and head to the pier for a picnic dinner.  We got some yucky pizza and mushy breadsticks (that wasn't necessarily the plan...we were hoping for good pizza and garlicy breadsticks), brought along some soda, juice and water and went off to enjoy the nice weather and beautiful place we live.

I am ashamed to say that this is the first time we've taken them to the pier.  It is one of my favorite places to go, especially at night.  So, peaceful....at night....without kids.  During the late afternoon, with kids the pier was not peaceful or serene, but it was fun.

Nicole thought it was neat we were walking over the water, Hannah said hello to every person we passed, and Nathan, I'm sure was wishing for some sunglasses.  We saw someone catch a hammerhead shark.  Yes....a hammerhead, VERY VERY close to shore.  No thank you!!!!

We ate our pizza at a table that was actually empty...and of course had to make our dinner time potty trip...all the way back to the beginning of the pier (we have NEVER eaten dinner without the girls going potty.  It doesn't matter if they went just before, or if we eat at different times.  They ALWAYS have to go.  A bit annoying, but it's just the way it is I guess).

We saw huge pelicans, and even some dolphins in the water.

We talked to an English couple, here on "holiday".  Nicole introduced herself, her brother Nathan and her sister Hannah.  Hannah, of course not wanting to be left out, then quickly sat up...pointed to me and said, "Mommy" and then pointed to Jeremy and said, "Daddy".  The English lady got a kick out that!

We saw a guy obviously gearing up for a big night of shark fishing...he had a seriously BIG hook, and fish he was getting ready to chum (by the way, shark fishing is illegal on the pier)

Do you see the Pelican in the water?

The girls ran up and down the pier and I had visions of busted lips and cut up eyebrows (did you know that happened to me...silly story...silly girl....bloody face....much embarrassment).  Thankfully my visions did not become reality.  Nor did my fear they would fall over the side.

We took a nice family picture, except that Nathan's poor little face was blocked (sorry Nate).

The only thing that could have made this more fun is if we would have driven there in a jeep.  Oh...a jeep...one day, one day we'll have another one, I'm sure:-)

In Awe

Some days I am simply in awe of my children.  The girls have been looking through photo albums of them as babies...especially Nicole.  I nearly started crying the other day looking back just 3 1/2 years ago.  It's amazing to watch them grow!

The other day, Nathan was crying at nap time, so I went in to hold him for a moment.  I had him cradled in my arms and turned around and caught of glimpse of myself in the kid's mirrored closet doors.  I had one of those "moments". 

All of a sudden, I was in awe that I was holding a little baby that would grow up to be a man one day!  To think that, Lord willing, he will be a man, a husband, maybe a father....is a thought to big for me to comprehend fully. For the next few months, I have the honor to hold and take care of a little boy who will quickly grow to big for me rock to sleep.  A little boy who will soon (hopefully) tower over me. 

I've heard many mommas say that the more children they have, the more laid back they become as they learn to treasure the few precious years we have with them while they are small.  I feel that way a little bit.  But...I think Nathan is surprising me, because he's a boy.  I realize there is a very small period of time for me to freely love on him and hold him.  Soon, this little baby boy that I hold and kiss and whisper to daily will grow into a man who will one day have a different woman to hold him, a woman he will protect and provide for...and maybe even little girls to hold in his then strong hands.  The fact that he will quickly grow into an adult is much more real to me than the fact that this will also happen to the girls. 

I love my little Nathan.  I love his smile, his laughter, his sparkling blue eyes.  I love his little noises...I love that he almost always passes gas as he's waking up (a trait I'm sure will never go away! haha...it's a guy thing, right?), I love that he's so little and sweet....but I also love the thought that one day he will be grown up.  My goal over the next few years is to treasure my moments with him.  I am his mother, his only mother....I had the pleasure of bringing him into the world (although ask me then and I'm sure I wouldn't have said it was a pleasure! ha)....I have the honor of caring for him and raising him...and one day, I hope to see the fruit of my labor in a strong, loving man with simply the memory of holding him as a small babe.

Today...is over

I LOVED hearing what some of you were doing today! Thanks for commenting.

So, today is over.  It was a good day.

For the first time I baked muffins with all 3 children!

Nathan can now sit up in the bumbo (pretend it's blue, not purple!), so he sat on the counter and "helped" Nicole, Hannah and I make chocolate chip muffins.

You can tell he enjoyed it.  Please notice that Hannah is wearing fuzzy slippers and Nicole is wearing her princess dress....stylish little girls, I know!

Here Nathan seems to be screaming "Take those scissors away from Nicole...N.O.W!!!!!!"

And here he seems very concerned about Hannah's stirring capabilities.

After our muffins were made, we picked up Mimi and brought her over to have a tea party with us.  Tea parties (this time with Juicy Juice) are one of Nicole's favorite activities.

Later in the day, I caught Nicole and Mimi having a moment chatting and looking out the window.

Grandma and I watched 2 movies during nap today and just enjoyed a nice relaxing day with the girls. 

By the way, did you notice our dining room chairs are different?  We have been looking for new chairs...just plain wooden ones, but haven't found them.  Our chairs are upholstered...always dirty and not practical to clean.  Finally, I decided I'd just buy slip covers...and expected to pay about $100 for all 6.  I found some cheap ones at Bed, Bath and Beyond the other day....only $8 a piece I think...so I thought they would do.  Well...when I checked out, they rang up at $1.99, plus my 6 20% off coupons...they were $1.49 each!!!!!  I was so excited!  I spent like 9 bucks on slip covers for all my chairs.  The color matches my living room curtains pretty well too.  Woohoo for cheap slip covers!

Today....

Today, I plan on following our time schedule with the girls.  This means having Bible Time, Learning Time, Reading Time, etc.  Our schedule seems to be going well lately, Nicole likes knowing what we should be doing...and she is learning how to read the clock (digital and very very basic manual clocks).  She's still working on saying numbers like 32 or 45.  So...checking the clock a zillion times a day seems to be helping.

Later we will go pick up grandma and have a tea party with her.  I plan on making chocolate chip muffins this morning with the girls (and Nathan if he's awake) for our tea party.  Grandma is going to hang around all afternoon and watch a movie with me...I've worked hard on getting most of my chores done so I could spend that time with her today. She seems to be looking forward to it).

I'm looking forward to a laid back day of playing with no real expectation or things to do.  Sometimes those are simply the best.  

Right now, it's 7:04am and still dark out...this messes with our heads...how about you?

So, my friends who check this out...what are you doing today?

WHERE DA GOLD AT?

In honor of St. Patricks Day, you must take 2 minutes and watch this very real and very funny news story about a leperchan siting near Mobile, Alabama.  I think this is the funniest YouTube video ever!!



Now watch the rap remix version...also very funny.

Beautiful Day

Well, It's been a while since I last posted.  In all honesty, I had sort of a hard week with the kids last week and couldn't think of much positive to say....and, I didn't have the camera out snapping shots....and nothing to exciting happened that would thrill most of you:-)  Thus, the lack of posting.

But it all stops today:-)  We've had a nice start this week.  The weather is perfect and we are all rested and happy little campers:-)  I still don't have any exciting stories...I think I haven't had my ears tuned to "blog sharing" what I hear.  I'll try to fix that this week.  For now though, I'll share some fun pictures of the kids playing outside this morning.

A smile from Nathan

Look how big I'm getting!!!

My girls LOVE to dig in the sand.  I can't wait to take them to the beach this summer.  For now, the sand by our walkway will have to do.

Digging for gold?  Nope just sand in the bottom of the bucket.

I actually think this whole scooping sand business is good hard learning play, they just don't know it.  They are learning balance and measuring and volume.  I pretty much love to have dirty kids...it means they've been outside and not sitting around inside watching TV (which of course they do at times anyway)

This is serious work mommy!

Another smile from Nate.  I think he really enjoyed laying outside today.  He even seemed to like the grass tickling his toes.  

In complete awe and wonder over the garbage truck.

Close up of Hannah's "awe and wonder"

Hannah was so excited that Nathan grabbed her hand when she came over to "talk" to him.  She started saying "mommy, mommy...Cheese!  Cheese" (that means take a picture).  But, I'm pretty sure she was the one holding HIS hand.  Can you tell she's got a death grip on this poor guy?  I think his fingers are slightly bent backwards! hahaha.  Good thing babies are basically rubber for the first year.  

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into our day today.  These kids are getting big way to fast.  I asked Nicole the other day if  she would please stop growing up  for a little while and she said, "Well, mommy, God wanted me to grow up, so he just pushed a button...and I grew!"  Oh, is that how it works?  :-)