My Cloth Diaper Tutorial

Before Will was born I had the idea of possibly using cloth diapers, but didn't look into it too much, and the idea got pushed back for a while, and thankfully I had been given many packs of diapers for a shower our church had for us.  Then when Will was around 5 months, my sister-in-law had started using cloth with Will's cousin, and that peaked my interest once again. That along with the fact that Will was constantly leaking through his disposables at night, which of course woke him up.  So after MUCH research on the costs of cloth and the types of cloth diapers, I took the plunge.  I first started by ordering ONE diaper to try out.  :)  Just getting my toes wet.  I liked it, and then after more and more research found that there are forums online in which you can by any sort of cloth diaper you can imagine used!  YIPPEE!!  I love buying second-hand items when I can.  I know what you may be thinking...EWWW, USED DIAPERS?!?!  Well, yes, and no, it's not ewwww.  I thought maybe it would be at first, too, but they are washed just like clothes and are made to last through multiple children, so hold up very well.  Upon finding this discovery I bought a number of different styles/types of cloth diapers in order to try them out and see what worked best for us.  Then, once I discovered that (after about 2 months), I chose the types I kept the ones I liked best, sold back the others (they really hold their value!), and bought up more of the ones I wanted.  So now our cloth diaper "stash" consists of 2 types of diapers that I use.  Now, the real side of the cost--cloth diapers can be expensive at the front end (when you first buy your "stash"), but in the long run, even with washing costs included they save A LOT, especially if you use them with more than one child, which is very common, as I said they last a long time!  Also, as I said, there are many types, so you can make cloth very expensive and very inexpensive or somewhere in the middle (at the get go).

Of course there is always the time/effort issue.  Yes, you do have to deal with "poopy" and you do have another couple loads of laundry a week.  I started when Will was 6 months, and don't know if I'll start at the newborn age or not if the Lord blesses us with another child.  We''ll see.  Anyhow, it all deals with what you want and are willing to do.  : )  And I know, I know, I just have one child so far, but I really plan to continue to use cloth and have talked to many mommies with man children that have used cloth for them all, so I know it's possible!  ; )

Just wanted to share this little bit of info, as I know many mommies and new mommies out there.  Also, there is a TON more info I have if anyone is truly interested, just let me know, and I'll share.  : )

These are what I regularly use when we are out and at home.  It is a regular "old style" cloth diaper (a prefold), but they are made out of bamboo or hemp, which is just the choice I made instead of cotton. 

Inside of them I fold up a microfiber car towel you can buy in packs of 7 at Walmart for $5, for a little more absorbency added.  Not everyone does this, it's just my choice. 

On top, I put a little strip of fleece fabric (bought and cut myself) to keep the moisture off Will's skin.  You can get microfiber inserts that are naturally moisture-wicking, and they are great, but not the right fit for Will (long story).

Then I put the whole thing inside of a waterproof cover that I can use again and again, just wiping it out, so I don't have to wash it after every use (unless it gets dirty of course).  All my diapers need a waterproof cover, so I use these Flip covers that snap and are adjustable, one-size-fit's-all. 

These are bamboo diapers that are one size, that you pin.  I LOVE these, but they are a little bulkier (but VERY absorbent) and a little more expensive, so I use them at home, for longer trips, and for bedtime.

These are the types of diapers my sister-in-law uses, which are Bumgenius and are probably the most well-known cloth diapers.  They are a one-size "pocket" diapers, so you stuff them with inserts on the inside, and then they work much like a normal disposable diaper.  Cloth is really all about personal preference and what works best for your baby.

Okay, that was a lot of information!  I LOVE using cloth diapers, so sorry if it was too much, but figured someone may find it useful and others can just skip this post.  : )

Baby Feeler Finger

Will is ever curious, and constantly reaching and touching any and everything. He is an extremely active baby, and every time he wants to touch/grab/feel something new he puts out his one pointer finger...just that one finger. Then he will pinch it with his little pointer and thumb. We call it his "baby pincers". Pretty cute. So tonight at supper I took some pictures of his initial "feel" with his pointer finger.

This accidentally fell onto the table...

Ok, this I put on the table, so he would do this for the picture... :)

I may have a ham on my hands here...he always seems to know when I'm ready to snap the photo-smiles and all.

Goofy face.

Not Just Rugs...

The other day we were at Lowe's, and as I was strolling with Will while Carl was deciphering which screws and such to get, we went by the rugs. Since we have all hard wood floors in this house, I was just planning on keeping my eye out until I saw some rugs at a reasonable price, which for me is most likely second-hand. Anyhow, just out of curiosity I stopped at the Lowe's rugs and asked the man working there how much the 8'x5' rug was. He said $10!!! WHAT?! So, I asked again, if he was being serious. He said yes! It was originally $170, then the day before I went it was $20, then the day I was there they had just marked it down to $10!! AND it was nice and soft, so I snapped it right up! Then, he said that the bigger rugs were only $20 (10.5'x7.5'), normally $340!! WOW! So, I got two rugs, and to top it off, I had eyed the big rug in the past at Lowe's, thinking how much I liked it, but would never spend that much on it.

Anyone that knows me well, knows that I LOVE a good deal, so I had to share this, but with a little explanation, too. Being thrifty (a good steward) is something I try hard at and (I say this with no pride) God always blesses my efforts in this area! This is not the first time I have "stumbled" upon such a wonderful blessing in monetary form, and know that it won't be the last. This is just one of the many ways that my loving, personal Savior shows Himself to me. Thanks for sharing in this blessing. :) Sorry it ran kind of long.

The smaller rug for Will's room.


This is the larger rug, perfect for our living room area. Nice and soft to protect a bumping baby head. :) We have one other rug that we already had, for our room, so we are set! Thank you Lord for "small" blessings!

Big Eater

First, I must forewarn any who frequent our blog that since we now live so far away from our family with our son, Will, I will be trying to load up videos of him as frequently as possible for our distant family. :)

Will has taken to feeding himself lately (which is SUPER exciting to me), with mainly Cheerios, whole wheat bread pieces, and banana. Previously we were just letting him bite off a banana, but the other day he took it from Carl, into his own hands and started munching off it himself. So, I of course had to take video of this feat this morning. :) Here it is...

Here are a couple pics I snapped the other day when he was eating.

Will's First Swim

We have made it to Boston!! We just got intertnet and are still in the process of unpacking...will follow with pictures at a later date. On the way here we stayed at a couple hotels and thought it would be fun to take Will into the pool for his first swim, so here are some pics and a few videos from the event. :) He had a good time...he didn't cry at all when we first got in and it was a little chilly and while in he loved splashing, as he does in the bath.

Though it looks like it, his face is not actually in the water, he is just looking down into it.

Family Triathlon

A couple of weeks ago Carl and I took part in our first triathlon together. We did pretty ok. ;) It was my first, and Carl's second. This was what is classified as "sprint" triathlon--300m swim, 11mile bike, 3.1(5K)mile run. It was actually a fun time, and though I wasn't sure I'd ever like to do another, I think I will. I will, however, have to brush up on my swimming quite a bit before then! :) Carl's sister and family came and graciously took pictures for us. Sorry the pictures are in a weird arrangement...the editor was giving me issues when I was putting them in.  Here are a few...

Carl and I at the beginning of the race, before we started the swim.

Action shot of Carl swimming.

Carl starting out on the bike.

Me starting out on the bike.

Carl returning at the end of the bike.

Carl finishing the run (and the race).  Go Carl!

Me at the end of the bike.

Me starting out on the run (Carl was finished with the race by now, and was encouraging me at the beginning of my run--the last leg of the race).

Carl and I after the race is over.  Behind us is the blue inflatable archway of the finish line.  We didn't get any pictures of me coming in from the run, because I apparently was "too fast" according to Carl--he wasn't expecting me to be back as soon as I was. :) 

Our nephew Simon.  He was a patient little cheerleader.  What a cutie!

Will's New Trick

We are currently "on vacation" visiting family. Will is of course getting MUCH love and attention, especially from my sisters. Recently his two aunties taught him a trick (he is such a smart boy! :) ). You can see the video below. The second video is just a fun one of Will sitting on the floor playing around. As a side note, he has two more teeth coming in as well, one on the top left and one next to his other bottom two.