See You Later!

Hey All...Moving to wordpress.com .........wordpress has a blackberry app and is also where my F(aith)-Log is going to be so I'm moving my M(ommy)-Log there too:) and I can manage both from one account....makes me sad because I really like blogspot but its such a pain in the but to post to when you dont always have non-mobile interenet to post from.  I might check back periodically with random posts but until I get my other blogs going steady, this will *remain* pretty silent....

Flats challenge went well btw:) just couldnt post anything:(

Getting ready...

I found out that ikea carries a "Flat" masquerading as a burp cloth (3 for 4.99)...they seem impossibly thin but its what we are trying for now. $20 for a dozen diapers is pretty decent even if I am having to double them up or change the munchkin more often. If they don't do what I need them too, I'll just have to make that trip to a fabric store that I've been avoiding...
My plan is to wash every night. It may seem a little hardcore but when I did handwash at the very beginning of my cloth diaper journey, every night made things slightly less daunting and meant I had dry, ready-to-use diapers come morning...granted, if I hadn't washed them multiple times a day, I would have run out very fast since I only had 4....and then 7 when the next fluffy mail arrived...
My stash as of now consists of; 5 blueberry OS pockets, 3 bum genius OS pockets, 2 happy hieny OS pockets, 2 tot bot AIO's, 1 Charlie Banana OS pocket, 1 Kawaii OS pocket, 1 fuzzi bun OS pocket, 3 jam tot hemp fitteds, 3 Wickeez fitteds, 3 drybees pockets with knickernappies super-do inserts for night, 10 bummis prefolds, 3 bummis super whisper wraps, 2 bummis super brites wraps, 2 weehuggers OS covers, 5 weehuggers soaker huggers and 5 bummis fleece liners.....oh and 4 snappis......
So in other words, a lot. Now add 12 flats to the mix which are prepping as I type in the oldest, largest pot I could find, hence the picture-cute prints huh?!....which I imagine will become the 'washing' pot from now on....still left to check off for next week, rubber gloves and a scraping spoon....things to check off for after the challenge, a diaper sprayer-no I don't NEED it but it would sure help, and a wonder washer.
I'm excited for this new adventure:) for a more functional diaper option for camping this summer...but also for the intent behind this challenge....see previous entry for that.
So I suppose I should start with a run down of our current system for keeping the monkeys bum fresh and fluffy...
Our handwashing in the apartment started as any wash routine does with the good ole dunk and swish.....the rest was done in the bathtub. We(I, because who am I kidding) bath the kiddo and tuck him in and then use his bath water to soak the dipes. I drain after about an hour and then fill with hot water and add some mighty marshmallow Rockin Green Detergent(A-mazing! Use it for clothes too) ,swirl and let soak for 15-30minutes....then comes the plunger and/or rubber gloves to knead the grunge out of the diapers.....do some wringing and soaking until clean....drain then rinse under the tap until suds are gone....hang to dry....spray down the tub with vinegar mixture to sanitize...
In all honesty, I don't see changing this system much because it worked well and we had no stink issues with it. Possibly I'll use the pot instead and do a cold soak instead of the bath water and may resort to a wet pail instead of my current dry one...will keep you posted on any tweaks:)
Machine washing starts out the same actually, dunk/swish, bath water soak with a scoop of Rockin green, vinegar spray the bath tub....then into the washer(partly due to it being a HE front loader-the dipes suck up all the water so the presoak helps that), cold/hot cycle with extra water no detergent no spin extra rinse, into the dryer for 1:40 on low temp.
I may be tweaking that though as we've had some stink issues in the last couple weeks.
So how am I preparing for this challenge? For starters, brushing up on my fold know how. I perfected the batwing a while back using receiving blanket diapers...but I think this calls for some others as well...secondly, praying that the little mans solid poops continue and that I won't have any "runners" to contend with :S and Lastly, telling myself over and over to get out the video camera and document this like I had originally intended....
Well, that's all for tonight....I'm actually blogging from my blackberry so this mamas fingers are going numb-note to self:short, frequent picture updates from now on:p
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Diapering 2011

So far this year we've committed to Change 3 Things-using at least 3 cloth diapers per day which has turned into a fulltime thing(no more disposables in this house:), we participated in the Great Cloth Diaper Change-a world record setting event, and now we've taken on the Flats Challenge. 2011 is turning into the year of cloth diapers I guess....

The flats challenge IS your Grammas diapers.

For one week, may 23-30, we will be using strictly flat diapers(a large square of *usually* cotton that you fold to fit your baby, pin or snappy in place and cover with a waterproof cover) and will be limited to hand washing and hang drying.

The idea behind it being that there are AFFORDABLE and FEASIBLE diapering options out there for low income families so they don't have to worry about where their next pack of diapers will come from or resort to unsanitary, unsafe measures to keep their child in diapers...

I feel very strongly about this issue, as being a single mom with essentially no help from my sons biological father, I could very easily be one of those families.

Fortunately, I have amazing family and friends so I'm able to work without worrying about childcare, get an education without worrying about keeping a roof over our heads...but it is still very much in my mind to be self sufficient and to save money where I can.

Its really frustrating to me to see disposable diaper drives because it is such a massive waste of money and is just a bandaid solution. Those diapers run out. They will need more. It. Just. Doesn't. Make. Sense.

Flats are the least expensive option in cloth diapering but, as I am learning, are also incredibly hard to find locally....my solution? Hello fabricland!

On Tuesday ill be venturing into a sea of fabrics in search of some 30x30 squares of birdseye cotton...and attempting to serge them? Haha I am not a sewer by any means but its on the bucket list for sure...

Till Tuesday then....


Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Being Crispy...

I have an internal soapbox when I learn about things. I find myself trying to convert people. Wanting to talk with people about it. Wanting to "correct" people on it.

In all honesty though, other than some posts on facebook to try to clue people in who happen to chance upon it, I'm scared to come across as pushy so I dont often say things out loud. A lot of people just arent open to thinking outside of the "BabiesRUs" box of parenting.

Fluffy Mail

I got my 2nd bit of fluffy mail today from Moms and Bums;

• 3 Jamtots Eezi-fold organic hemp fitteds
• 3 knickernappie super do inserts
• 2 snappi's ). 

I almost wasnt able to get it actually.

I dont know if its canada post or just this particular worker but....

I had my little parcel slip....and I went to the post office and gave it over....and they asked for ID. Ok. So I hand over my ID. Its not the same address because I havent changed it yet. Ok. They cant give me my package(that has my name right there on it) because its not the same address. Ok. I will get my boyfriend to come get it later. Boyfriend goes in. She remembers me(who had been in there less than an hour before saying that HE will be coming to get it) and she remembers the package. He gives the worker his ID that has the same address. The last name isnt the same. They cant give him the package. WHAT?! Are we married? They cant give it to him unless we're married. Really? He lies and says yes, we are married. So, he gets the package.

Ok, there are 5 people living at this address currently. NONE of us have the same last name, save for myself and D. I dont imagine that this is all that uncommon.  Is it? So had my boyfriend not lied, no one at the house would have been able to get my package.

Now I get that this is partially my fault but I JUST moved in....I havent had a chance to change my address on my ID....and, in all honesty, never have no matter how many times I've moved. I've always left it as my parents address because its just easier, at this nomadic point in my life, than having to pay to have it changed every year. All of my mail goes to my parents. Theyve NEVER moved in the 25 years since Ive been born. Bah...Stupid policies and red tape.

but back to my fluffy mail...

I was actually really excited to get the snappi's..... I want to use them with my prefolds as well as the diapers I had ordered.

You know, I really didnt think snappis would be all that confusing.

They arent.

I think I'm just incompetent.

But I had a hell of a time getting his prefolds or new dipes on and fitting.
Partly due to the fact that he is so busy and will not sit still for more than 5 seconds(and thats WITH a distraction such as a toy or electronic bit) so trying to fold/wrap him in these friggin diapers and then trying to snappi them....gah.

BTW, Snappis are not nearly as stretchy as they look in all the demos I've seen. Lies. 

I do have him in one of his new diapers with the super-do insert for bed. I'm REALLY hoping its on right or I might wake up to another Poop Picasso inspired morning:S Please pray for me, I dont know if I could handle that again lol.

On another note, I think the best thing about being a single mom....well, mom period....is when your baby just wants a hug from you.

I know I probably shouldnt, but D and I have a little routine at night where I put him down with his bottle(which I know I need to stop or his dental assistant god-mom is gonna kill me) and after about 10 minutes , he finishes and will start to whine...so I go in and pick him up(so bad, I know:S) and he just hugs me for a few minutes until I lay him back down again.

I love this little moment. Hes such a busy little beaver now, always going....always getting into things....that I dont get to cuddle with him very often, save for those couple of minutes at bed time.  I dont know if its more for his benefit or mine lol:)

*sigh* I love him.

Poop Picasso...

So I went to grab the little gaffer this morning and was greeted with this.....

Nope, thats not chocolate on his face.

And it was not isolated to his facial region. It was EVERYWHERE! Well, no, thats a lie. IT was not in 2 key places. His diaper, which was sitting, pristine, beside him and his bum, which was clean as a whistle.

Needless to say, he was happy because he got to do his favorite activity first thing in the morning, BATH!

I, on the other hand, was left with a waste warzone to clean up. Vinegar and water for the crib and mattress....a good soak for his Pjs, sheets and blankets. A long boil for his paci, bottle and toys.

And to top it off, the little stinker said "momma" for the first time, or maybe I just wanted it to be momma to mask over my delight at his poop art.

I love my baby. I love my baby. I love my baby.

Honestly, its impossible to be mad about since he was so damn proud of himself and met me with the BIGGEST BRIGHTEST SMILE:)

I really do love my baby.

The poop I could do without.

Edit: Concerns.....Pink Eye or other infections resulting from his poop face?? Eep.
And How did he get out of his diaper? the tabs stayed together but came apart from the front strip of velcro. does this happen often....does the front get too heavy? are my rises not set right? is my child really just that talented that he figured it out??

SUCCESS!!!

I totally forgot I had taken my sleeping pill and can feel it kicking in so this maybe be short or end with my forehead on the keyboard....

We had our first completely disposable free day today ~EEEE~ =D
CLOTH DIAPERS ALL DAY! WE ROCK!

Although this was the day my darling little Monkey chose to BM in every dipe so clean up via handwashing was a bit less fun as his liners still arent staying put??  But we ended the day stainless and smelling pretty....as soon as I can get out of the house I want to grab some Rockin Green Mighty Marshmallow and Smashing Watermelon...have some biodegradable detergent  right now but I'm not a fan.

So....Even with only my 3 pockets in rotation...I handwashed my hieny off all day with all dipes and inserts....I hung them to dry for a couple hours and then popped them in the dryer on low for 40min. So we did not run out of CD once throughout the day:) Think about how much easier that will be once my next fluffy mail arrives with my Eezi-fold Organic Hemp Fitteds and Super Do Inserts:)

I'm no longer even attempting to use the Blue minky...upon further inspection, I think its a WAHM dipe with a bebabean label sewn on....I think Im going to go grab some applix for it so I can make it work...I cannot wait to get snappis in....

The artist/origami enthusiast in me kind of wants to start experimenting with flats(yep those back in the day ones your gramma used:P ) I've been doing some research and I think they would be fun~but only for me~LOVE the idea of the bat fold:)...Supposedly I could be using receiving blankets for this so maybe I'll drag some out that I packed away....suppose to be a good camping option.

I'm also thinking of searching out some wool sweaters to make some longies and soakers since I am not about to knit them anytime soon....Unless that is, maybe someone wants to teach me....or venture out with me to a stitch and bitch??

Also, who knew I could get all crafty with my prefolds??? Totally doing a cut, dec and dye job on them asap:D (pictures to follow) SNAPPIS HURRY UP!

Edit: not gonna lie, I definitely walked away from the computer to get a drink and TOTALLY forgot I was writing this....so you get it today instead;)

The Ick Factor...

I've been promoting the Change 3 Things challenge put out by Cotton Babies(its up there on the right;)....I mean, right now I only have 3 cloth diapers in rotation but I still manage to keep D in cloth most of the day by hand washing them as he uses them and using his pocket dipes as covers for his prefolds....but, not my point...

I had posted the new page for C3T on my facebook profile  and someone commented

"I'll save the planet some other way...ick".

Really? For all the reasons I do cloth diaper, it being better for the environment is just a bonus. 
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to start was COST, and the biggest reason I continue is COMFORT~after feeling the soft fleece of my happy hienys or the silky bamboo doublers and the plush pillowy cushion of the microfibre inserts~how could I ever subject D's teeny tush to the chemically produced scratchy paper feeling of a disposable again? 

But of all reasons to not cloth diaper...."ick"? 

Other than my own stupidity and the blue minky fiasco of a few days ago, there has been no ick factor involved. Cloth diapering has come miles from when even our parents did it. We have sprayers and liners and shells and everything you can imagine to make it SO easy on us. 


Seriously? The sad thing is that many parents cite convenience as the reason to not cloth diaper~but other than a couple of extra loads of laundry in a week~what are the inconveniences? Its not any different from disposables. Prep them out of the dryer(like folding anything else out of the dryer) and you have a stack of dipes ready to go onto those precious little bums as convenient as any disposable. 

And you better believe that the first snowed in day, you will be grateful to not have to go to the store because you ran out of diapers. 

And when your done? Into the Diaper bag/pail/pile whatever until laundry day....


Honestly, I am still SO new to the whole thing and am just on the tip of the iceberg....but if just starting, I don't find it overwhelming~and lets be honest, I am not into work. I am not super mom. My dishes don't get done right after dinner. My bed doesnt get made most mornings. I believe in having fun with my kid before doing chores...If I can do it, and arent HATING it....all these "supermoms" should be able to do it.


Hell, with a good set of One-Size's, you can cloth diaper a whole litter of littles from 0-3....although you probably wont have to since on average, fluffy bums potty train faster than 'sposied ones;)


Im not gonna lie, I thought about the whole CD in an apartment thing....and it seemed entirely unappealing....but I'm not in an apartment now and am still hand washing and hanging to dry....so my anxietys were quickly put to rest with a little research and a good pair of rubber gloves...


Do your research. Ask questions. Dont Poo-Poo the Poo until you know what you're talking about.

Planning A First Birthday Party

I know its months away but my little mans 1st birthday is coming up at the end of June.

I'm starting to plan early because;
1)I cant wait! I'm a perfectionist/planner type and ~obviously~ want it to be awesome.
and 2)because as much as I love having a summer solstice baby, he was born smack dab in the middle of the busiest time of year for EVERYONE.

Ive had the date picked out since January  because I remember how awful it was nailing down a day and guests for my baby shower.

So June 26th it is.
So now to start figuring out the rest.

When is a good time to have a 1 year olds birthday(which will include various other 1-2 year olds)?  1pm? After lunch but hopefully before naps....more a problem for other moms as I was never one to force a scheduled nap time. He goes down *around* the same time every day by his own choice, thus allowing variation when needed.

Where?
Home, honestly, not my favorite option as it would entail a lot of work and travel for EVERYONE since I live an hour away. I was leaning towards a public park and having a bit of a bbq.  Most have covered areas you can rent for the day so as to keep the kiddos from over heating in the sun...

Theme?
Jungle? Cartoon Character? Cowboy? Farm? Space? Blue?

Cake?
Do I really need to make him that cake from "What to Expect?"
I mean, I am all for healthy living~well, I really like the ideas and principals behind it, practicing it is a lot less appealing. I mean, I make him his babyfood~lies, I feed him what we're having most of the time or steam veggies and meat since we do a combo of Baby Lead Weaning and occasional homemade purees. Namely, I dont feed him that jar crap or IF I have to, I get the organic ones.
But seriously, is it so bad for him to have half(probably closer to a quarter)of a cupcake on his birthday? There is an AMAZING cupcake place here that I really want to order his cake and cupcakes from....but I know a lot of moms/professionals poo-poo letting them have cake/icing...hmmm?


So.....Here goes Planning a ONE YEAR OLDS BIRTHDAY...
:-) / :'(....my babys growing up.

Worst Diaper Experience Ever...

Hi, I'm Kristy. My ever so adorable son is Declan.

I've wanted to cloth diaper since I was pregnant but got talked out of it.
So I talked myself back into it when D was around 4 months with 2 Bummis Covers, 6 cotton prefolds, 5 fleece liners and a roll of biodegradable liners.

This, while it lasted~all of a few days, I have to admit~was fun. But I moved and the prefolds and covers are in a dark box in the corner of the house that I have yet to uncover....

And so begins my new adventures into cloth diapers with a much less cooperative 8 month old...

Yesterday my very first fluffy mail arrived *squee*.
One of our local e-stores had some Happy Hienys OS pockets on sale so I promptly jumped on it.

Much to my dismay, the Glow-in-the-Dark Skulls print was sold out:( as was nearly every other boy friendly color. Double :(.

I mean, I do consider myself a rather open minded mom, but I just cant picture my rough and tumble little man in a pink hibiscus dipe:S but I managed to track down 3 colors that I could live with...

Those were not my bad dipe experience.

I also have made a point to keep an eye out in our local consignment baby shops for good deals on fluff.

Well, I've never found anything worth while but the last sweep I did, I managed to find a cover~beba bean? I dont know, it was a blue minky and I figured, for $5, why not?

So I tried it.

It only had one snap on either side. It didnt fit all too well but I figured, it would do to hold #1 in until his bed time change an hour away. Assuming that because #2 had come and gone earlier, that I wouldnt have to worry about it...

I was wrong.

Not only was I wrong, but it was the worst poops I have ever heard, smelled, or seen....in that order.

It was one of those special ones that you can hear from across the room....and just as I got to him, remembering the gaping leg holes I had dismissed earlier, my worst fear was confirmed.

My son, crawling away from me, with liquidized stench running down his leg onto my carpet.

And scooping him up, beelining to the bathtub~hoping to high heaven that we werent leaving a dotted trail in our wake, I burst in on my bf leaving his own little present.

Now, I can handle my little mans stink.

Really, I can handle the big mans stink when I have to.

But those two #2s collided in a wave of gag inducing aromas that of which I have never experienced.

Is this what living with boys is like?

Blue minky dipe, I hate you.