Cloth Diapering

My sister Elena asked me about my cloth diaper system. As anyone who actually uses cloth diapers knows, it truly is a system - and it is constantly changing. Since I wanted to post write my thoughts on the various cloth diapers anyway, I will answer her question with this post.

With Audrey, I used fuzzibunz perfect size diapers. They work really well - they kept her dry and fit well. We never had blowouts and we rarely had leaks, when we did, it was our fault for leaving the diaper on too long. However, I *really* do not like the pockets for every diaper use - where you have to stuff an absorbent layer into the diaper and then pull it out to wash it. (I do still think they are good for night time, to be able to add an extra layer of absorbency and let the baby sleep dry all night long.)

Before Meredith was born, I decided that I was willing to do a two piece system (old school diaper and a cover) rather than stuffing. I went to the local diaper store (I am so glad we have one nearby), Abby's Lane (highly recommend using them online too - free shipping, fast processing, discounts/promos with email newsletter, points towards anything with every order), to see what my options were. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there are lots of options and that the covers now have snaps (or velcro (called aplex?)) and pins are not really needed. I bought a couple of newborn sized covers (which never fit my newborn who weighed over 10 lbs at birth) and a few hemp/cotton prefold diapers (think old school but better fabric) and considered myself ready. We ended up using disposables for her first few weeks instead because the newborn size did not fit her and the fuzzibunz we had did not accommodate her umbilical cord.

So I headed back to Abby's lane and found thirsties! I loved them. The diapers and the covers snap. The covers have gusseted legs that never blowout - so nice after having blowouts all the time with disposables. The diapers are so soft - a cotton velour on the outside and a soft micro fleece on the inside, are super absorbent, fit well, and they have this tunnel design that helps them dry quickly. Just awesome. However, having to snap both the diaper and the cover at every changing takes more time than my squirming baby will hold still for. I wished there was some sort of all in one option.

Lucky me, there are lots of all in one (AIO) diaper options. As Meredith started to grow out of her size 1 diapers at 3 months (that are supposed to last through 9 months, btw) I ordered two different AIOs to try - bumgenius freetime and grovia. The grovia is all cotton on the inside and that stays wet against the skin - I don't like that so much. The bumgenius freetime is awesome. It has the micro fleece against the skin, so it stays dry. It is possibly the perfect diaper. Thirsties just came out with an AIO of their own and I ordered one today. I have high hopes because I like the thirsties fit on Meredith better than the bumgenius fit (and they are cheaper than all the other AIOs on the market to boot!).

My system... I get a couple of thirsties wipes (love these guys) wet with water in the sink before I change Meredith. After I change her diaper, I put both the used diaper and wipe into a zip up bag (wet/dry type) that hangs on her changing table and put the new diaper on her - pretty standard stuff. I wash it all including the bag in hot water every morning. I never have to touch any messiness, I just turn the bag out into the washer and add 1 Tablespoon Rockin Green laundry soap. Then I do an additional hot rinse. I throw it all in the dryer and usually hang them (from a little octopus laundry dryer) until I use them, just to make sure every thing gets lots of air.

My system is always evolving with minor adjustments all the time. I plan to try homemade laundry soap rather than Rockin Green once I run out of it. I like the Rockin Green, but it is expensive. Also, I would like to line dry all of it - right now I do not have enough diapers to do that. I would also like to do the wash every other day, but again, that requires more diapers. I still like the diapers and cover system, and I use that to supplement the AIOs.

Finally

I did it! Almost three months after Meredith's birth and I finally went jogging for the first time. It felt awesome.

I have a new jogging stroller and I tried to use it last week but Meredith *hated* it do much that I had to turn around and bring her back. Today I went sans baby - just me and Audrey - because my mom is here for the holidays and was happy to watch her while I went. Also I got some great new gear that helped. I got a new pair of asics gel kayano 17 shoes, fancy compression socks and a muscle roller for afterwards. Those 3 things made a world of difference. Hopefully this is the first of many good runs to come.

Cool knitting project

Well I need a new project, like I need another hole in the head, so I am not starting this, but if I ever have a whole bunch of sock weight yarn around....

http://tinyowlknits.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/the-beekeepers-quilt/

What can I say, I love patchwork and I love hexagons and this is both in one - perfection!

Also, I am 36 and 1/2 weeks along...

32 weeks and counting...

I think we are past the point of no return, we are going to be surprised for this baby.

The pregnancy is moving along beautifully. Aside from it being hot and a bit miserable nearly every time I step outside, I feel good. I am eating well, drinking lots of water, milk and prenatal tea and trying to get lots of sleep.

I am going to have the baby at a birthcenter with midwives instead of at the hospital and I am super excited for that. I might even do a waterbirth, since each birth room has a huge and deep tub.

Also, we are planning on doing cloth diapers the whole time with this little one. And the cloth diapers these days are so cute. I am hesitant to get too gender specific just yet, but once I can, I am going to get some really cute covers. You can see my neutral favorites at: http://www.amazon.com/registry/baby/31O8DXJU4ZZ3U

Oh, baby

I am due 8 September. Somewhere between 16 week and 20 is typical for a healthy baby ultra-sound check up. I was traveling then, so I went in at 21 weeks. The baby looked healthy, but was crossing his/her legs and was laying on its back, so the doctor could not see the spine. Three weeks later, I got my second chance to learn the sex. Today the baby had the umbilical cord between his/her legs, so again, the technician could not confirm boy or girl. "If I had to guess, I would say it is a girl," said the technician. Truly, not that helpful.

Triathalete

Today I did my first triathalon ever!! And it was in the snow, which is not the normal way to do a tri and my cheeks are wind/frost bitten from it. This one started with a run and I was in the last wave, which meant we saw the fast people on their bikes before we even got to the starting line. The run was my easiest most enjoyable part. I happened to match up with another lady who had the same pace as me and we stuck together for the run. We weren't super chatty, but it was still nice. Then the transition area, quick drink of water, put on the helmet, grab the bike and run the bike to the bike start line where you are allowed to mount. The bike part was hard, the wind was so cold and going fast mad it colder. It was basically flat though, so it was easy enough. However, bike seats and my butt do not get along. I was sore (like bruised sore) right away, luckily it was cold, so that helped numb the pain in my butt. After that it was back to the transition area where you put your bike, helmet and strip down to your swim suit, put on your swim cap and goggles and run (in bare feet) to the pool. In this case the pavement was so cold, I really did run. Then it was a snaked pool where each lane is only one direction and when you get to the end of the lane, you go under the lane divide and go down the next lane. I expected the swim to be my easiest/most comfortable event. I swim several times a week in the mornings and the distance of 10 laps is my standard distance before I stop and get a drink and then do 10 more laps. So I really thought this was going to be fairly easy. What I didn't count on was that my legs were not really functioning very well. They were tired, so I didn't notice that I was hardly kicking. I had to stop a couple of times at the end of the lane to rest. At one rest, a coach who had just finished helping one woman out of the water early (she had muscle cramps and just couldn't finish) walked over and asked me how it was going. I said, it was going, I was just catching my breath. He said, make sure you use your legs, they will make it easier, I noticed you were not kicking much. I thanked him for the solid advice and finished the rest of the swim without much incident. When I climbed out of the pool and walked across the finish line, boy was I tired, but you could not wipe the smile off my face. I was so proud of myself. I just finished my first triathalon, I did it in the snow and I did it four months pregnant. I had a banana, a cup of water and a couple of mandarin oranges before I hit the shower. I got to the car and had a cup of maple yogurt and coconut water (great electrolytes, not gross like gatorade). Now I am tired, and my poor butt hurts when I sit down, but I am so damn happy I did it.

Composting

Since I set my garden resolution I have been diligently saving all fruit and vegetable scraps and putting them into my new composter. Hopefully it will work well for this year, but if not, it will no doubt be extremely useful for next year.

Ryan has been less enthusiastic about the garden goal since he realized it includes a bowl of rotting produce on the counter (his words not mine). I think he will come around when we actually start harvesting gardeny deliciousness.