Cloth Diapering Joey

Favorite Diapers
I have been cloth diapering Joey for a little over a week now. I have found that I LOVE Bumgenius 4.0's and Kawaii pockets the best. They fit him great and he seems very comfortable in them.

Laundry Process
I do laundry every other day. We have an HE front loading washer which has a "sanitize" setting on it. I always wash the cloth diapers on this setting. It takes about 2 hours and washes them in extra hot water. I also run an extra rinse cycle at the end to make sure all of the detergent gets washed out. I put the cloth diapers and liners in the dryer, but I only dry the diapers for about 15 minutes on extra low heat. This speeds up the drying process since we currently don't have a clothesline outside to hang dry them.

Dirty Diaper Storage
We currently store all dirty diapers in a regular kitchen size trash can lined with an old pillow case. The lid on the trash can contains the smells, but the pillow case gets really gross. I can't wait to get some pail liners! I've even been thinking about making some to try out.

Aplix vs. Snaps
I can't decide which I like better- aplix (velcro) or snaps. It seems that the aplix gives a more personalized fit than the snaps, but if Joey is running around in just a diaper (which he does a lot, of course only while we're home) he can undo the velcro really easily. He hasn't tried to take the snaps off yet, which I think will be harder for him to pull off.

Usage Per Day
We go through about 6 diapers a day. I try to change him every 2-3 hours. I stuff each diaper with 2 inserts which allows for more absorbency. He's a pretty heavy wetter, and we have yet to have any leaks. He usually only has one bowel movement a day and it's in the morning.

Overnight?
We have not tried cloth diapers overnight yet. Joey gets uncomfortable when the cloth diaper gets wet and asks to be changed. I am thrilled about this because it is a sign that he will show interest in potty training sooner! However, I feel that he will wake up during the night when he wets himself and need to be changed. We're still using disposables for night, but using 1 instead of 6-7 disposables today is a huge difference and I'm happy with that!

Out and About
I am going to start using cloth diapers full time during the day once I can get a small wet bag to take around with me. I am also going to buy disposable liners to use while we're out of the house. We can't use them here because we are on a pretty old septic tank and I fear that the money we save from cloth diapering will be spent on repairing the septic tank down the road, which could be a HUGE bill.

Diaper Sprayer, Yay or Nay? 
Absolutely, 120% YES! The first week, I dunked and swished the poopy diapers in the toilet. Let me tell you, that was awful and made me question this whole cloth diapering idea. After looking at diaper sprayers online, most were priced starting at $40 for one with decent reviews and went up in price from there. I showed Joe and he said he could make one for less than $20. He went to a couple of stores and picked up all the parts he needed. He had it put together and working within 30 minutes! I love having a handy man as a husband :-) The diaper sprayer cuts down the time I spend washing the diaper and it makes it 100 times easier. If you are looking to make a diaper sprayer yourself, definitely plan on putting a shut-off valve on it. Definitely don't want your floors to flood because of the constant pressure being sent to the nozzle. I'll try to post a picture of ours.

How Much We Have Invested
Diapers and inserts- $200
Diaper Pail- $10 (kitchen trash can with lid made by Sterlite)
Diaper Sprayer-$18
TOTAL: $228

I am not exactly sure how many diapers and inserts we have, but we have a TON! I'll put up a new post soon with pics of our stash for both Joey and Hayley. Knowing that this investment will save us around $2,000 on disposable diapers feels amazing and totally worth it.

34 Weeks!

I can't believe how close we're getting to the big day! Time is just flying by, but I know February will probably be a slow month. I'll try to keep myself busy with crafts, cleaning, and organizing when I get antsy so I don't completely lose my mind because of all the anticipation and excitement! 


What's Going On With Hayley Grace:

• Weighing in around 5 pounds and about 18 inches long! 

What's Going On With Momma:

• Eyesight is a victim of pregnancy hormones. It got worse with Joey, and it's getting even worse this time around, too! 
• Leg cramps have been waking me up during the night a couple of times totally disrupting my much needed sleep. 
• I feel like I am not stop going to the bathroom. Up at all hours of the night to pee is not fun. I guess it's one way my body is trying to get ready for the newborn (up all night) phase. 

Not too much going on here this week. Just a midwife appointment (every 2 weeks now!) and hanging out with little dude around the house. Oh, and I can't forget my never ending to-do list. 

-Laura

33 Weeks

I have done it! I have completed the task that I was procrastinating on... Hayley's bedding! It for sure was a lot of work, but it was definitely worth it. I absolutely love her room, and I'm sure I'll love it even more once she is here to enjoy it, too. I'll get a post up later this week with plenty of pictures and how I did everything. 

Even though her room is finished, I still have about 20 things to tackle this week. Needless to say the nesting phase has not gone away just yet! 

What's Going On With Hayley Grace:

• Gaining about half a pound a week. 
• Measuring in at 17.2 inches and about 4 1/2 pounds. 
• Baby is now experiencing REM sleep cycles, and sleeping 90-95% of the day.  

What's Going On With Momma:

• After walking for a while, I waddle! I don't even realize I'm doing it until I actually pay attention to it. 
• Exhausted all the time! No matter how much sleep I get, I never feel fully rested. It's a good thing insomnia hasn't come back to visit, or I would be one ill momma!

Not too much going on here this week. Just a midwife appointment (every 2 weeks now!) and hanging out with little dude around the house. Oh, and I can't forget my never ending to-do list. 

-Laura

32 Weeks

This past week I finally finished Hayley's curtains and glider ottoman cover. Her crib is still in the process of being delivered, I am so anxious for it to get here so we can set it up! Once we get it up, I can start sewing the bumper and crib skirt. Yay! 

I have been in nesting mode for about 2 weeks now. I deep cleaned the house last weekend, and I have been organizing every drawer, cabinet, and even the attic!!

Cloth diaper research has been taking up A LOT of my time! Researching laundry detergents that are safe to use, diaper pails and liners (or do I want a hanging wet bag? Still haven't figured that out...), different brands, and how to make my own inserts. 

What's Going On With Hayley Grace:

• Around 4 pounds and almost 19 inches long! 
• Practicing swallowing, kicking, sucking, and breathing. 
• She now has toenails, fingernails, and HAIR! I need to buy some more bows or learn how to make them. 
• Will gain 1/3-1/2 of her body weight in the next 7 weeks. 

What's Going On With Momma:

• Still having Braxton Hicks contractions and plenty of back pain. Chasing Joey around is getting much harder! 
• Hayley has been hanging out pretty high up, making it hard for me to eat, breathe, and get comfortable in a sitting position. Can't wait for her to "Drop"!

Who's ready for the weekend? I know I am! 
-Laura

Products Made By Me!

Hey Y'all! 

My mother in law, Deena, and I started making friendship bracelets for fun while we were spending time together. We decided to start selling them online and thought Etsy would be the perfect place for us to sell our handmade products. 

I have also expanded our store by adding diaper pouches and scarves! 

If you would like to check out our Etsy shop and see what we currently have for sale, please click here!

If you would like to go to our Facebook page and show us some love, please click here! We would greatly appreciate a "like"! 

Friendship bracelets made my my mother in law, Deena and myself 

 Diaper and wipes pouches made by me 

 Infinity Scarves made by yours truly 

-Laura

Cloth Diapering

Joe and I have decided to try cloth diapering Hayley! I am so excited and have been looking for deals on them everywhere! They are so cute nowadays, definitely not what I would have expected when I thought of cloth diapers. 

I have to admit I was terrified and put off by the thought of cloth diapering before a couple of friends taught me the ins and outs of cloth diapering. I am so thankful they did! It will be so much easier and much less "disgusting" than I had expected :-P

There is so much to learn! Some days I study cloth diapering until my brain feels like it cannot handle any more information. The cloth diapering lingo in itself is hard to handle, but makes understanding what other bloggers or websites are saying so much easier! 

So far, I have ordered 5 Econobum covers without inserts, and I bought one brand new Bumgenius 4.0 from a mom for $10 that was brand new in the packaging! They usually retail for $18, so I was thrilled to get a brand new one for almost half off (once you figure in taxes and such). 

Econobums cover with "Ribbit" trim

Bumgenius 4.0 in Blossom

Seriously, how cute are they?!? 

We are hoping to be able to save a TON of money by doing this, and also reduce our negative impact on the environment by using disposables. 

Hopefully I'll be able to include our adventures with cloth diapering into my blog once Hayley gets here. Maybe some reviews, most/least favorite products, etc. 

Have a Great Weekend! 
-Laura

31 Weeks

We had a great weekend, and of course it just flew by! Joe and I painted Hayley's room yesterday. It didn't quite turn out the color I was hoping for. It still looks nice, just not exactly what I wanted. 

We decided not to refinish the crib. We want to make sure she is as safe as possible in her crib, and since we have previous experience with a child who liked to gnaw on his crib, it might be a better idea to leave it to a company that knows what they're doing when it comes to safely painting a crib! 

Hopefully this week I'll be able to start working on making the bumper for the crib and the crib skirt. I got on the sewing machine last night to make an infinity scarf for my mother-in-law, Deena, and it made me want to get the projects I have left finished! 9 more weeks until her expected arrival and I still feel like I have so much to do. 

We have decided to try out cloth diapering. It has come a LONG way in the past few years. No more safety pins and rags as diapers! It is much better for the wallet as long as you don't become obsessed with having the latest and greatest cloth diaper on the market. Hopefully I won't get sucked in! 

What's Going On With Hayley Grace:

• Weighing in at almost 4 pounds and could be up to 19 inches long! 
• Very active, she has been sure to let me know she's in there! There is nothing like being pregnant and feeling the movements. 
• My midwife let me know this morning at my appointment that she is head down, but told me not to worry if she flips again. 
• Digestive system is now fully developed. 

What's Going On With Momma:

• Still having plenty of lower back pain. I have tried stretching, but it's just not cutting it anymore and sometimes makes it worse. 
• Heartburn has still come around a couple of times, but I am so thankful it isn't as frequent as it was with Joey! 
• Only gained 3 pounds since my 10 week appointment! Yay for me! My midwives are thrilled since I started out overweight, and I'm hoping I'll be able to find some motivation after baby gets here to get in shape. 
• Braxton hicks contractions have begun. Only slightly uncomfortable for now. I'm glad my body is getting prepared for birth! 

Have a wonderful week! 
-Laura

Big Brother Joey

It doesn't seem like I'm almost in my eighth month of pregnancy. I had planned to have so much more done by now! It's bringing on the reality that she''ll be here before we know it.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how this is going to change Joey's life as he knows it. He'll have to share attention and toys, wait for me to tend to his needs if I'm busy with Hayley, and share the spotlight with Hayley when guests come visit. 

Is he going resent me for no longer being the only one?

All of my attention and energy goes to him. He is my #1, my little man, my cuddle bug. I hope I don't lose sight of his needs and let him down. I hope he doesn't take out his frustrations on Hayley. I hope he doesn't get frustrated in the first place, but I know it's going to happen.

I hate that he's going to have to adjust so much at such a young age. Will he understand? Will he love Hayley? Will he still cuddle with me before bed time or will we lose that bond?

I know I'm doing a lot of thinking and worrying, but I think every mom in my situation has these thoughts. I wish I could talk to him and prepare him for this upcoming change but I don't think he will understand just yet.

Playing with Lexi

Shoving a cookie in his mouth! I love that he looks like he's just seen something very alarming lol 

My cuddle bug <3 I love when he falls asleep on the couch with me! 

-Laura