Scary Sh*t

The more I read about chemicals and poorly manufactured consumables, tainted foods, massive recalls ... the more I want to move to farm, grow my own food and throw away all my plastic.  The amount of chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis is ridiculous and we are both clueless and almost helpless when it comes to knowing the truth about the safety everyday products.

I used to think my mom was just an over-reacting hypochondriac (no offense, Mom) but I really think she was on to something when she complained about the inflammation and rashes on her skin after using certain creams, lotions, soaps, etc.  I need to do more to create a safer and healthier environment for my family.



It isn't easy being Green.

Fluff Friday 78

Check out the contest on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer.  You could win 2 BumGenius All-In-One cloth diapers, which happen to be my favorites!!

Favorite on Friday

Theme: Cloth Diapers

I have been cloth diapering full time for over 6 weeks now and I've had a great experience with most everything I've tried.  Here are my top 3 favorites:

1. BumGenius All-in-One (AIO)

Probably the easiest way to cloth diaper because an AIO is most like a disposable with fit & fastening.  I have quite a few of these thanks to a current coupon promotion that offers a free AIO with any $10 BumGenius purchase.

2. Thirsties Fab Fitteds & Covers

This is a slightly more economical approach to cloth diapering and still very easy to use.  You can buy several fitteds and a few covers and you'll be set.  When it comes to changing the diaper, just put a new fitted on the baby and reuse the cover as long as it isn't soiled.  Thirsties covers are wonderful because they have extra gussets in the leg area so they provide extra leak protection.

3. Prefolds & Covers

This is the most economical option for cloth diapering and a little bit more involved than the previous two options.  This is more of an "old school" approach to cloth diapering.  You fold the diaper between the baby's legs and put a cover over it; or you fold the diaper, secure it with a snappi and then cover.  Snappis are the modern day pins without the risk of poking yourself or your baby.  I never really enjoyed using Snappis because Lillian was 4 months old by the time I started cloth diapering and it was easier to just fold and cover.  Using prefolds on smaller babies, however, usually requires the use of a Snappi to secure it in place.  My very first cloth diaper purchase was this starter kit.

I have fallen absolutely in love with cloth diapering, which might sound a little nuts, but it makes me happy so I will continue to do it.  Lillian has not had a diaper rash since I've started using cloth.  She also hasn't had the blowouts that she used to have with disposables.  I think I've dealt with 2 leaks so far.  Overnights aren't an issue either because I insert doublers to increase absorbency.  And the money I've invested into cloth diapering isn't wasted like the money that is tossed in the trash with every disposable diaper.

The above are just a few entry-level cloth diaper options.  Here are a few of my favorite cloth diapering sties for more information & diaper variety:
Kelly's Closet
Cotton Babies
Mom's Milk Boutique

Enjoy!

My Obsession

I took inventory this morning:

10 Sunbabies
3 Thirsties All-in-One's (AIO)
5 Thirsties Fab Fitteds
2 BumGenius 3.0 pockets
2 BumGenius AIO's
2 Thirsties Duo Diapers
1 Bagshot Row Bamboo AIO
2 FuzziBunz pockets
1 Flip
1 Bummis Super Whisper Wrap
3 Thirsties covers
4 prefolds
3 Thirsties doublers
5 BumGenius doublers
1 wetbag
24 wipes
3 Cutiepoops (not pictured)

Labels

There are certain labels given to different parenting styles, like "crunchy" or "mainstream."  I haven't really found a category I fit into yet, because I'm kind of a hybrid of mommy styles.  I cloth diaper but I vaccinate.  I wear my baby part time but she sleeps in her crib.  I exclusively breastfeed but I will feed her store-bought baby food.

I kind of border on the "crunchy" side because of cloth diapering and breastfeeding, but I haven't gone hardcore hippy-mom and I don't see myself going that extreme any time soon.  Or ever.  I recycle the basics: newspaper, glass, cardboard, plastics.  I still eat meat and I doubt I could ever go vegetarian, although we really should cut down on the red meat we eat.  More fish & chicken would be much healthier.  I do try to use more natural cleaning products, and I've been using home made vinegar solutions for cleaning. 

I took this quiz and found out I'm "Pretty Crispy."  What are you?

Random side note: Lillian didn't sleep well last night so I had a lot of fragmented sleep, and as a result, I had very vivid dreams.  My favorite being I got to meet Michael Buble.  I think I kissed him, too.  Don't tell Joe.

Good Morning America

8:30am

Cloth Diapers

Read about it.

Diapers & Bows

I am in love with cloth diapers.  I enjoy washing them and getting them ready to put on Lillian, and I love that they're better for her skin and better for the environment.  I also love the colors.

I have also started putting bows on her, and a friend of mine recommended some really inexpensive ones on eBay.  So now I have 12 bows that I got for $9.99.

Fluffy Butts

I've been using cloth diapers for the past 4-5 days and things are going well.  I still put a disposable on Lillian at night because I haven't quite figured out which diapers I like best, so once I do I will start CDing full time.  It's really not that hard, and I see how it gets addicting.  There are so many cute diapers to choose from:

http://www.cutiepoops.com/

BumGenius

Bummis with prefolds

Thirsties with prefolds

Washing isn't bad right now since Lillian is exclusively breastfed, so I can just toss the soiled diapers into the wash because breastfed poop washes out just like yogurt.  Once she starts solids I will have a little bit more to do before I can put the diaper in the wash, but I'm not too worried about that.

I've ordered more diapers and can't wait to start CDing full time.  Is it weird to say it's fun?

Our First Time

Day One of Adventures in Cloth Diapering:

I used a Chinese prefold & Bummis Super Whisper Wrap.  This is all new to me, and I've been doing a ton of research for a few months.  I also ordered a Thirsties diaper cover and a BumGenius to try.  I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Most people are probably wondering, "Why in the heck are you using cloth diapers?"  Here are my reasons:
1. It's cheaper
2. It's cuter
3. It's better for the environment
4. Less chemicals against Lillian's skin
5. If it goes well for me, I hear it's really addicting

And Lillian just pooped so here goes my first attempt ...