Bath time is just so cuddly and sweet, I can’t get enough of these cute photos of our guy from last week. I am such a blessed mama! He is such an explorer, adventurer… analyst. I watch him and his expressions, it’s enough to keep me entertained all day.
All our love!
-M
I hate to do laundry. My husband & I both mostly hate it, actually. It’s so nice to have those fresh clean clothes, but hanging them up to dry, sorting them, etc… it’s all so mundane. Slow going & not instantly satisfying, as maybe we’d like it to be once in awhile if we’re being honest. So, this post isn’t going to make a whole lot of sense at first! Why in heavens name would we choose to do cloth– when our little one arrived– if we didn’t LOVE laundry!? Well, i’ll give you some tips: We aren’t perfect about it. Nothing is perfect about cloth diapering in our household. And I’m not really OCD about a lot of things, so I suppose it would be more annoying to me if I were, but we’ll get to all of that. A BIG disclaimer: We’re still learning as we go. We like to do that a lot around our house, and I’m aware that it may sound slapdash but it’s how we live. If we find better ways of doing things, we’ll adapt, but this is whats working now. It’s definitely not perfect, and it’s probably wrong in some ways (if you have a way that works better, please let me know!) but too bad. : ) The reason I’m dedicating a post to this topic is because of the few people who have inquired about our CDing methods. Here’s our down-low! Hooray!
Why did we choose to cloth diaper?
At first, the environment.
Here we go. Weeeee! Well, we did a ton of research. In the beginning, we were considering the environment. We aren’t often afraid of being different because we want to create some positive change, so we thought it would be a great idea to do this for the environment. Upon further investigation, hubby discovered that CDs aren’t really that much better for the environment. They are still using up energy when they are manufactured. They still go in landfills–maybe in a delayed way, but they still do. The manufacturing process still uses chemicals, unless you’re a lucky one who has all organic diapers. So, it turned out that they aren’t too much better for mama earth afterall–UNLESS you choose to purchase used ones. Yippee, right?! Buying used is always one of my favorite things, no matter the bad rap people give it. When items have a second or third go-around, it’s great for the earth & for my pocketbook. Total win-win. So, with that said, many of our cloth diapers are not second-hand, because family & friends are amazing & they blessed us a LOT! But, now that August is getting to be quite a bit bigger than his little cute newborn diapers, it’s time to purchase new things… so I’m going the used route on many of them. Awesome. I get to give mama earth a big high five, and keep some change while I’m at it. There are many other reasons (such as comfort, decreased chemical exposure, etc.) why we cloth diaper now, but this was the biggie for our fam.
What the heck?! We have to do WHAT?!
Realizing that CDing ain’t all glitz & glamour.
So as I was contemplating CDing, and as hubby was reading an article about CDing, we realized nearly simultaneously that you have to fling poo. Not only do you fling it (as happens often in the diapering world anyhow, no matter what)–but according to many resources, you must “spray it” or fling it over the toilet. No can do, we said. The buck stopped there. We’re going to do WHAT after our baby does WHAT?! Okay… so this was before he was born, and little did we know how much of this stuff was actually going to be all over us at certain points of the day. However, we still don’t like the idea of trying to spray off everything and get the poo out in order to keep diapers way more stain-free & maintain their long lives. Our solution? It may gross you out, but I don’t mind. I am not big on stain removal for diapers. Who is going to be inspecting the inside of my baby’s prefold or FuzzyBunz anyhow? Probably just me & hubs. So on that note, we simply toss the diaper in the wet/dry bag (which are ADORABLE, by the way, we buy the Planet Wise ones, and we have yet to complain about them in three months or so) and then wash. The wash is a bit intense, but I’ll explain. I do have to add that the prefolds we use to get to looking pretty gross even when they’re clean, and I don’t like bleach, so I sun bleach them. This works really well for me–especially if I wet them down before sunning them! So there you have it, our dirty secret. We don’t spray our poo!
SunnyBuns. DiaperDelights. Fuzzy-something or others. Weird names & too many options! What do I do!?
Tons of options. Tons of features. Choose a few.
We have a stash of a few different kinds of diapers, which you see featured here:
From left to right; (older version) Fuzzy Bunz, Econobum, Thirsties, Flip. How many times can you say that fast?! There are a million gazillion types of CD’s, and it was all so annoying and overwhelming. From what I can tell, they all have things that I enjoy and they also have their downfalls, kind of like most disposables. I enjoy the easy quick use of the Fuzzy Buns, because they have an insert that you stick into the diaper (there is a pocket) and bam–you put it on just like a normal diaper. This one is great to use if you would like your babysitter or family members to use CD’s while watching them. The Flip also uses an insert-type microfiber piece. Both of these are very stain resistent from what I’ve seen, so if you’re big on that–these would be great. The Econobum & Thirsties are both pretty awesome–I love the leg gussets (little things on the sides of the legs to hold the prefold diaper in) on the Thirsties, and the Econobum is very form fitting because the whole diaper is stretchy and so fits to baby.
So what do you buy? I have really appreciated having a variety, and I don’t think you’re going to know what will work until you can try it on your baby. Every babys bod is different, every baby changes differently as they grow. Some were better when he was smaller, others are better now that his little chubby frame has filled out some more. Don’t be scared to do something new. Ask a pal if they have some you can try until you figure out what works. Go with it.
How did you say I wash them??
Tons of methods, once again.
We use Tide. Dye Free, Fragrance Free. I also create my own detergent for our clothes that uses Dr. Bronners, which I got from Passionate Homemaking, but it isn’t enough for the CD’s. Those need the strong stuff to get all the smell out. But lots of people try lots of things, there are even things like Rockin’ Green Detergent that are made especially for CD’s! Amazing. So this is what I do:
1. We wait until we get quite a few dirty ones. 3-4 days, probably, or a little more. Like I said, I’m not OCD!
2. We toss ‘em into the washer, making sure there are no bioliners (liners that help to soak up excess moisture & keep baby’s bum dry, but flushable) or wipes (we use both disposable & cloth wipes!) in the diapers. No biggie if there are, but it can be a pain.
3. We do a cold rinse.
4. We do a hot wash, using tide.
5. We do a hot rinse.
6. We line dry what we can, warm dryer the Fuzzy Bunz & others that specify to use the dryer. We always put our prefolds in the dryer because it helps them to stay absorbent and fluffy. Line drying covers like Thirsties, Flips, & Econobums helps to maintain more life in them.
That’s it!
So that is our basic plan. It is subject to all kinds of changes great and small, and I’m always open to trying a new kind of diaper if it seems to have an advantage. Hopefully this is helpful, and hopefully you think it’s a lot more do-able. Trust me, I thought we were crazy when we were first starting out. Mostly because it seemed like we were in over our heads, and learning all sorts of new things with our first baby. But once you dip your toes in and get comfy, it’s really not too bad!
Oh Yeah… One more thing.
A thought about polarized living:
I know it, you know it. We’ve all seen it. The mom who is a total nazi about breastfeeding–one ounce of formula, ever, for any reason, and your child is screwed (in her eyes)! You must ONLY breastfeed! She doesn’t care what your circumstances are. Or… The family who frowns upon others because they don’t have the best of everything, or the newest gadget with an apple emblem. One old lappy & you’re not cool anymore! There are also the cloth diaper Joneses, and I’m not keeping up with them. One little disposable & you’re a horrible person! They see your child at church wearing a disposable diaper, and they ask you, “But I though you were Cloth Diapering!” Yes.. we are… and he’s wearing a disposable right now. We’re all about being flexible with how we do it, though I really do try to use cloth diapers when I am able. When August goes to his babysitter’s twice a week, there are usually some CD’s in his bag (if we have clean ones) but always disposables. If we’re running late, we’ll grab them. Life calls for being able to change plans, and disposables are always a great backup. We’re big advocates for doing what works. Right now, we often use disposables at night because they just seem to hold more long term (and at night, he mostly just pees a lot). I’m sorry but I’m not going to wake my child from a deep, peaceful slumber because his diaper needs to be changed–so we put him in a disposable. Do what works for you, and remember that others are doing the same most of the time. Sometimes, we just can’t keep up with doing it all, all of the time.
Here are a few resources that might help:
http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/diapers/buying-guide.htm
PLUS: Babies look SO cute in cloth! Let me know if I didn’t cover something that you were dying to know, and if you have any burning questions.
Toodles!
-M
Here’s my baby boy at 7 weeks old… The week he really began to smile.
Then 8 weeks… on his fun jungle playmat
Then 10 weeks old! (Yes, I accidentally skipped a week here and there, you may notice)
And 11 weeks…
And I took this set today at his fun little 13 week shoot:
Don’t you just want to kiss those little feet!? I do! What has changed about my little boy in these weeks? Everything. From the cute little personality that’s coming out, to the soft brown hair that is sprouting at the top of his head… everything is changing so fast. We’re trying to document all of those sweet milestones and keep track of when he does things and how. I journal on an inconsistent basis, making sure to jot a quick note about when big things occurred and write them out in all of their glory later. This is a truly amazing time, yet it is also a trying time. Teething has begun and that’s no fun. Other than when a cute little pearly tooth pops out, it seems to be the pits for all of us until he can be soothed into a peaceful sleep. We’re hoping he won’t be teething for months before one actually comes in–who knew those little teeth could take so long?
In other news, something I’m learning is that you can count on life to be inconsistent–there are so many ups and downs as a new mom! When you think you’ve got one thing figured out, another complex problem takes its place and makes you rethink it all. When you and your husband seem to find a nice pace of living, when there is some pattern emerging from the chaos all around, you find yourself walking yet again in a maze of craziness. Such is life, eh? Oh well. Some days it really does get to be a lot, and I am pulling out my hair in agony… wondering how I will make it. Then others we just smile at the insanity and make the most of it. Laughing as we go–not being too hurried as we go about our tasks, and enjoying it.
These past few days, all I’ve been saying is, “Thanks, God, for a new day tomorrow…. and.. where did that Infant Tylenol go!?”
-M
Doesn’t that sound like a fabulous title to a book, “The 6th Week of August: When I finally let it go.” ?? Or something like that? Well, I thought so anyway. However, this post is not about a novella, or a clever memoir, but about our little not-so-little guy and how he’s a whopping six weeks old this Friday, and an update on the season our family is going through. We are in the sixth week of his life. The sixth week outside of the womb. So strange, yet so wonderful.
Our weeks are filled with up and down days. In-between and also on-the-verge days. Days that are miraculous and inspire every ounce of awe and fascination that our very first hours with August held, and then days that feel like they were ripped from the pages of a horror story. That’s parenthood, I guess. A startling mix of terror and joy at some points–(Are we doing this right?! Okay… it’s not that big of a deal… or is it?! Is he okay? What is going on!? Oh, no biggie…We can do this.) A mysterious learning experience for all involved. Sometimes we have wonderful family moments that I can’t believe are real and then some days end with my brain feeling like it’s at full capacity and turning to Jell-o, my body feeling so weak and exhausted from certain hours where I can hardly even think about eating, and with a nervous breakdown just around the corner. Didn’t I tell you a long time ago that you’d never find “fake” on this blog? : ) It’s still true: I want to be as authentic as I can be. So that includes sharing the crappy, horrible times with you, along with those blissful, beautiful picture perfect times.
Anyhow, the above photo is a great example of my son’s preferences beginning to bloom! Doesn’t he look a lot like his daddy?! These past few weeks, August has wanted to sleep solely in his carseat. We don’t start him out there, but before the end of our rope is reached, he ends there. We begin in the basinette after a long time spent snoozing in my arms or on my chest, then the vibrating and swinging baby swing, then we make sure he’s swaddled tightly enough to allow his startle reflex to be thwarted.. but in the end, he almost always decides to sleep in his carseat. I am beyond caring about what everyone says of the safety of it, because it’s all we can do to get a little rest and help him to be content. He isn’t an incessant cryer, but he always lets us know what he wants. I think there has only been one or two really loud crying, non-stop wailing sorts of hours this far in his baby career. SO hey, that’s a huge whopping yahoo! Adding to that positive note, he isn’t a HUGE cryer, and he IS a SMILER! Smiley, smiley, baby! Around the 3rd week, he began this little tiny smile that soon grew. This week he spontaneously smiles really often, and I think he may have been smiling back at me today. Ahhh a baby smile. Nothing like it. Nothing so beautiful that I’ve ever seen.
This sixth week has shown me that in everything, my joy will waver and my heart will feel faint if I’m not relying on the One who is bigger than me. The compelling prayer of St. Patrick comes to mind, which someone told me about a long time ago, a portion of it goes something like this: “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.” I don’t usually enjoy a repetitive prayer style, but this one really makes sense and comforts me. Christ has gone before me, He’s in front of me, He’s got my back, and He’s behind me. Pretty awesome. Moreover, hubs & I watched a sermon yesterday by Francis Chan. Our family is in a time of life when things could go many different ways, and we want to be wise and ask God what he thinks before we ask ourselves what we want. We have choices to make. What do we want out of this life? Ultimately, if it isn’t what He wants too, we’re doomed. Nothing from a human heart, aside from God’s guidance and direction, will move toward good things. We are selfish, and I believe that if our hearts are left to themselves we will only try to meet our own ends. Nothing for others, nothing eternally satisfying, but always trying to get the next thing. The next thing to meet the needs that we have–deep needs that earthly stuff can never meet. So… this Francis Chan sermon was really good. Really gripping, made me question things, made me ask myself what I think I need in this life. What do I really need? What do you really need?
More later.
-M
Why hello, hello!
It has been awhile, has it not? My fault entirely. I need to be more dedicated to my writing. There has been a multitude of occasions and events, the holiday, and changes in life to account for my absence; but writing is my catharsis and synthesis–I should probably keep at it. I hope you were able to celebrate our emancipation with a good ounce of freedom running through your veins; the holiday just makes me want to be mischievous, do something a little out of the ordinary, and give thanks.
I believe the main topic I’d like to discuss is babies–in this post at least. It’s an overarching thing that newlyweds must tread lightly with, and certainly around. So many individuals are blossoming in the belly, and I feel like I’m being left behind in my stage of life! Of course, I’m not. Mind you, these blossomers are people I know and I don’t know… it seems like when you’re sensitive to something, it happens to be EVERYWHERE! In one evening, I may have counted four or five different preggos walking by my hubby’s work as I sat there, looking out the window. Since I was looking for them, it looked like they were the main population of our town. This is part of a cycle in life and human thought: Once we achieve the “next step” of life (i.e.; graduating from college, getting a career, becoming married… etc.) it seems that all of biology and humanity chime in to tell you, “OK! What’s next?” It’s also a human thing, trying to fill ourselves with something new and exciting instead of appreciating the moment, the people, the life that God has currently given us. Certainly something to combat, something to notice, and something to actively fight against with gratitude and acceptance of your current situation.
Anyhow, back to babies. The big question for married people, whether newly or otherwise, is clearly about childbearing. “Do you want to get pregnant?” I was asked at my first acupuncture appointment yesterday… Yes, I do. But no, not right now. That routine medical question reminded me of the fact that yes, I can and hopefully will be a mother sometime. Reality. Yet not quite yet. With lots of semi-acquaintances, and perhaps perfect strangers, talking about babies and when you should have them, it can be easy to get insecure about the whole thing. “Should I be having a baby!? Should we do that now? Wait… will we ever be ready for it? We need to PLAN for these kinds of things!” Yes. Planning is good. Planning is a wise thing, and I do believe God wants us to do our best with our resources. However–I also recently read a neato article that discussed Christians’ ideas about children, and how we think we can just “plan” our lives around them. Plan them, actually. If you think about it, it’s assuming to think that we can plan someone else’s life, especially when God is the one who really gives life. He is the one who makes the womb fertile. He is the one who decides that life will begin.
So I have to be careful and mindful of what I think about life, what I think about being a mother. What I think about my hopefully future children. I want it all to be in God’s hands, and with all of the competing, arguing views shouting at newlyweds, I have to try to drown out the noise and do His will. Not my own. Not theirs. Not the world’s fast-paced-lifestyle voice. His. And as I plan a baby shower for a sweet friend, I take note of things, cherish her pregnancy, and realize that it is such a beautiful thing. It is something to be in awe of and to be thankful for. While all of that is true, it can also be true that this single, young, semi-disorganized newlywed lifestyle is also a cherished and awesome place to be! Each stage of life has new challenges, new ideas, something to give a fresh take on the journey God has made.
And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. 
