Cloth Diapering 101

I wanted to make a blog totally dedicated to cloth diapering because I know how overwhelming it can be when your first getting into it!

First thing is first..

You will need to find out which kinds of diapers you like...there are All in ones(AIO) which is basically a disposable because there is no pocket or insert to mess with. However these diapers are pricy and take longer to dry. And you cant really customize them like you can pocket diapers(ill explain that in a sec)

Pocket Diapers

 As you can see the name is literal. There is a pocket that you put an insert in. Most diapers come with a microfiber insert. However you can buy more or different kinds to use. You can also double up on inserts for long trips, or for over night heavy wetters. We use help inserts for bed time and they work well!

Hemp insert

Microfiber

      

Pocket diapers are the most commonly used diaper and most people love them! The deed is done and then you remove the insert..spray it if its poopy and then put it in your diaper pail which is covered with a pail liner. We just use a normal trash can with a pail liner. And have 2 pail liners...because they have to be washed so I have one back up to replace the dirty one. 

Pail with pail liner

This is the brand we have and love!

 

Notice the diaper sprayer^^^^^^

 There is also the old fashion cloth diapers and those are called prefolds. You know those amaaazing gerber burp clothes that everyone uses!? Well that is an old fashion cloth diaper..the gerber brand is pretty infamous for cloth diaper use just because they aren't very thick. You can use a prefold OR insert...not microfiber though because microfiber cannot be placed directly on babies skin..but something organic like hemp could be, anyways you either use the prefold and fold it with a snappi or just lay an insert into a cover.

cover for prefold or insert

another cover for insert of prefold

how to fold a prefold?

the end result after folding...held together with a snappi, you could also use safety pins.after that just put on the diaper cover and your good to go.

A prefold on a toddler

An example of an insert in a cover..you could actually use the cover multiple times and just put the insert or prefold into the wash after the baby does their business...unless the cover gets dirty of course.

You can also use a wool cover with a prefold...we dont have an experience with wool covers...but they are great for diaper rashes!

this just a picture of an acutal prefold laid out

 Prefolds would be the best way to save money, however they arent always the most practical. We like to use them around the house typically...

Okay so now that you know the basics on the different kinds of diapers

Its time to explore the different brands!

 Not every brand offers AIO's and not every brand offers pocket diapers. I am going to focus on pocket diapers because that is what I know...

Your have your major brands which are FuzziBunz and Bum Genius. We have some fuzzibunz but I have never used Bum Genius. FuzziBunz can come in a One size diaper which means the diaper would work from baby to toddler or the perfect fit which comes XS, S,M,L and XL. 

  Advantages of the one size diapers are the cost savings...you buy one set of clothe diapers and your done. A disadvantage to some would be the fluffy butt..they do cause a little ghetto booootay.

The perfect size advantage is the fit is a bit better, but I actually like the fluffy butt:) most of the time. We use our pefect fit when we go places and Eli wears jeans because his jeans fit best with the perfect fit. The disadvantage would be having to buy diapers in every size. 

We have alot of size medium fuzzibunz...because they are in this size the longest out of any of them.

the majority of our diapers are onesize diapers...but we do have some perfect fit. 

Off brand diapers...

A few brands I know that alot of people love are the sunbaby diapers...and the lovely pocket diapers..these are two brands that you can google:) They are both pocket diapers and are only offered in the onesize. I think that the sunbaby diapers are very comparable to the fuzzibunz!

Before you buy a whole stash of diapers I would maybe get one or two of a couple different brands..that way you can feel them and compare them for yourselves...my suggestion would be to buy a fuzzibunz and a sunbaby diaper and put your baby in them and see which one works best! We have about 24 sunbaby diapers and the rest are fuzzibunz(we have 36 total)

Once you have your diapers 

Its time to prep them!!! Which is simple...you basically just keep washing them about 10 times should do...its a known fact that the diapers are more absorbant after being washed multiple times! 

How to wash them? You will need a cloth diaper detergent (google it) 

We use this...and you can get it on amazon:)

Send your diapers through two cycles - a COLD/COLD wash or a COLD rinse or soak, and a HOT/COLD wash. If you are experiencing odor problems, 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil or 1-2 squirts of Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator can help. Be aware that using too much of an essential oil in your wash routine may begin to cause repelling in your diapers. (Water and oil don't mix!) 

Over time you might notice leaks or a urine smell on your cloth diapers which means it is time to strip them...I am going to send you to a different website to go over the entire stripping process!!

Stripping your cloth diapers! 

Randomness...

 When you are out an about...its really no different than a disposable...you change the diaper and put it in a wet bag then put that in your diaper bag!

wet bag!

 You also have to remember you cant use normal diaper rash cream with cloth diapers....if you use google a whole list of creams you can use will show up:) We love the california baby...its a little pricy but we rarely use it because Eli doesnt really get diaper rash!

If your cloth diapers start getting stains you can sun bleach them!! It really works:)

 

 Cloth diapering is way easier then alot of people think, and its not nearly as gross as alot of people think!

One random fact I wanted to share....

A few years ago the substance in tampons that was causing toxic shock syndrome was removed from tampons.......HOWEVER it is still used in diapers....isnt that odd?

" Using chlorine to bleach paper releases dioxins, which are one of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals out there. Dioxin exposure can also cause reproductive problems - and disposable diapers put dioxins right next to your baby's reproductive organs. Those little gel beads that absorb the liquid can actually cause asthma and airway restriction."

You can sell cloth diapers and earn at least 60% of what you paid...which is not to shabby!! On average a person will pay 2500 dollars for paper diapers...and for pocket diapers they say 1500 but it can be done for much cheaper....we have invested about 450 dollars into our stash( we did not buy it all at once)

Cost Break Down!

http://www.pootersdiapers.com/cloth-diapering-essentials/

MUST HAVE'S:

• CLOTH DIAPERS - See our list of How Many Cloth Diapers to Buy - Quantity: Varies by age & type of diaper
• INSERTS or DOUBLERS (for extra absorbency. Cotton = Good, Bamboo = Better, Hemp = Best) - Quantity: 3 to 5
• DIAPER PAIL LINER or LARGE WET BAG (for storing dirty diapers) - Quantity: 2
• DIAPER PAIL or 13 GALLON TRASH CAN (for use ONLY with diaper pail liners) - Quantity: 1
• DIAPER RASH CREAM - See our list of Recommended Cloth Diaper Rash Creams - Quantity: 2
• DETERGENT - See our list of Recommended Cloth Diaper Detergents - Quantity: 1 - 10 lb box every 5 to 8 months

NICE TO HAVE'S:

In addition to the items listed above, there are a few other things you may consider puchasing to make your cloth diapering life a little easier.

• WET BAG (for storing dirty diapers on the go) - Quantity: 1 Small
• DISPOSABLE DIAPER LINERS (for ease in changing dirty diapers on the go) - Quantity: Varies
• NIGHTTIME CLOTH DIAPER COMBOS (for keeping baby dry thru the night at 6 mos+. PUL = Good. Fleece = Better. Wool = Best.) - See our list of Recommended Cloth Diaper Nighttime Combos - Quantity: 3
• WOOL WASH or LANOLIN (for cleaning wool items) - Quantity: 3
• WOOL DRYER BALLS (to soften diapers, remove static & dry cloth diapers faster) - Quantity: 2 pairs
• BAKING SODA or TEA TREE OIL (to kill odor causing bacteria in your diapers and in your diaper pail) - Quantity: 2
• RLR LAUNDRY TREATMENT, CALGON, or OXYCLEAN (to help clean diapers in hard water areas) - Quantity: Varies

Okay I hope that I was able to help anyone who is curious about cloth diaper out...its a great way to save money and your babies hiney:) Not to mention whats cuter than a little fluffy butt!:)


If anyone has any questions please leave them as a comment!! Oh and I apologize for any typos...I do not have time to go back and proof read this tonight!


Until next time,
Michelle

Why I want to be a surrogate mother

So if any of you reading this know me, you know that absolutely love being pregnant and love the entire labor process...I think its truly the most amazing thing! And how proud should us women be that God chose us to be the "baby maker" I feel like he has put trust in me to finish out his beautiful creation of new life.

However, sometimes women that can get pregnant at the drop of hat forget, that some women are not able to at all. And then their are women who don't want to have kids of their own because of the chance of a genetic disorder/disability being passed along. My heart hurts for any woman who would not get the chance to be a mother if she desires to be, I think things like this happen so that women can learn to be stronger. I as a surrogate would become stronger knowing that I am giving the gift of life to a deserving family, and the genetic parents are already SO SO strong, in the fact that they have overcome the idea of not being able to of children of their own and being able to ask someone else to help them.

Parenthood to me has been THE most rewarding gift I have ever received and I think any man or woman wanting a child deserves to experience the joy and laughter a child brings. Granite there are plenty of bad times, but the good out weights the bad, for sure!:)

Why I think I would make a good surrogate?

I have done my research for starters, I have an agency selected for when I decide I want to do it, which wont be until I am finished with school most likely. When someone hears that I dream about doing this one day, the next thing I hear is..wouldn't be too attached to the baby to give it away?...And the answer is no..this baby in no way shape or form would genetically be mine and I am very well aware of that. I actually am the exact opposite....the part I am most thrilled for is seeing the parents face as their sweet baby comes into this world!! I know how I felt the moment Ella and Eli were born and its a feeling only a mother and father know...I desire for people to feel that feeling(that want it of course)...its almost like a drug...weird comparison I know but it makes you feel SOOO amazing!!!

Click here to go to the agency I will be using. And to see more about being a Surrogate!

What is my blog about?

Hello everyone:)

So todays blog is basically going to be explaining what my blog is all about and why I started it. So here goes..

While I will for sure be posting things that happen in our life to keep a record for myself, kind of like a journal...Im also going to be posting things like product reviews(good and bad) and just tips and tricks I have learned as being a mother! 

My hopes...

I find myself constantly searching the internet for things, that have to do with my kids. Is this lump okay? Should his poop be the color? What milestone should we be working on? Methods of discipline?...ect. So I figured why not take what I learn and pass it along! In hopes of someone finding it and helping that person! Im quite aware that I dont know everything there is to know about kids, but what I do know I would love to share with other moms or soon to be moms!! After all....us mommas have to stick together, right?

 Until next time,
Michelle


Question of the day: What are you getting your kids for Christmas?!

Can you love a second baby as much as your first?

Okay, so something I wanted to touch base on when adding a second baby to the mix and some struggles that I have ran into..My number one thing is the question: When should we have another baby? I heard ALL the time to wait until Ella was older and that age two is SO hard. I have always wanted kids close together so I went with my gut and it turned out perfect! Ella is sooo in love with brother..and he simply adores her! They are the absolute cutest and I would not have it any other way!

We talked about Eli like he was already here...she completely understood my pregnancy and everything that was going to happen!

We wanted Ella to be the first one in the room to meet her brother- I think it makes it not as overwhelming, and you get to spend sometime as a family before everyone comes in to see the baby

You'll notice in this photo the rest of the family has entered, but Ella is still focused on her brother and not everything else that is going on...and Im 100% focused on my two babies!

Such a proud BIG sister..Fun big sister shirts or big brother shirts are awesome for them:) Also, big sister or big brother gifts to open at the hospital! We got Ella a Woody doll to go along with her favorite Jessie doll...she loved it!

Best freinds:)

So cute!

So I dont know if its this way for everyone, but Ella still treats her brother like he is brand new! She gets so excited when he wakes up from naps and when she gets home from school she runs over to kiss and hug him!- She is also always looking out for him which is adorable! To sum it up...Id just say "she gets it"...she knows what being a big sister is and fits the definition COMPLETELY!

When she does get jealous which is mostly around grandma and grandpa..she will say something cute like...mommy you hold brother so paw paw can play, but she doesnt throw a fit about it which is awesome!

So how to know if YOUR ready?

• Are your finances in order?
• Are you and your partner agreeing on trying for another baby?
• Can your house accomadate another baby?
• Can your car accomadate another baby?
• Is there a particular stage you would like to get past with your first born?(potty training is a common one)
• Daycare accomadations she be taken into consideration
• Where do you see yourself in 10 months?- Would a baby fit in your picture?
• How long did it take you to conceive with your first?  For some women it could take multiple cycles to finally get pregnant!So think about that...

These are just a few things I thought of before trying to concieve baby Eli!

One struggle I had was learning to love a second baby..

Before we go on I want you all to know I love both of my kids SOOOO much!!

But around 36 weeks it really hit me that this sweet boy was going to be making is grand entrance sooner than later! It was time to mentally prep myself and this was something I struggled with, even though I had been bonding with him for 9 months.. I had been bonding with my now 3 year old for 2+ years...how was this new baby going to fit into this equation??!! I spent one night just bawling my eyes out listening too....

Go ahead and play both of these at the same time!, I like watching the pictures with this song:)

 

I would just sit there watching Ella and thinking about how amazing she is...nobody could replace her. And thats where I stopped..

Nobody would be replacing her!

We were just getting ready to add someone equally amazing to our family- I didnt realize this until the night before my induction- My house was clean, Ella was helping Brad with yard work and I was relaxing in the chair, in our room where I planned to nurse baby Eli. I always feel wierd talking to my belly..I mean other than the normal cutesy baby talk...but to actually speak feelings and such always made me emotional, but on this day I knew it was something Mr. Eli and I needed to discuss. I needed to "clear the air"

With Eli being inside of me I guess I assumed he just knew how I was feeling and what I was thinking. So I needed to let him know I was feeling guilty about thinking I couldnt love him like Ella- While having this needed yet strange conversation with my unborn baby, I was sobbing like a baby myself. I told him things that was afraid of, fun things that he would do, I asked him questions (of course not expecting a response)-Who will you be? Will you have hair...we all know your sister sure doesnt! lol, will you love me like I love you? Pretty much anything a pregnant woman dreams and is curious of that whole 10 motns we talked about! Well I talked he listend:) Call me crazy, but this one, on one time with him put me at ease and the moment he was born I was in love all over again...it was like God placed a new heart in me...because just when I thought I loved Ella with my entire heart a spot opened up for Eli!

My Induction Day

About two minutes old and SOOOO loved! my SOO many!

SO the point of this little story I shared is that its totally normal to feel this ladies! Your not crazy and your older child will still love you:)

Thats all for now

Until next time...

Michelle

"The sooner you have kids, the more time you have them"

            -Me

Question of the day: Every get that dreaded unwanted advice? If so what was it?---Mine was to wait to have baby number 2:)





Life with two kids:)

Okay so I have alot of friends that are curious to know what life would be like with two kids..So I wanted to share this fun video with you guys!!!:)

Life isnt that much different, its just busier. When Ella is busy with a craft or in the bath or napping I no longer have "down time" I have a sweet baby boy to hang out with. And that is another point I wanted to make, we were blessed with such a GREAT baby! He is so laid back and such an easy baby boy, so that definately helps...I say if your managing well with one..and you want more kids than go for it!!! The earlier you have them, the longer you get to enjoy them:)

Question of the day: How many kids do you want? How big of an age gap? and why?:)

Until next time,

Michelle

I love you more..

This time of year is always a great reminder of how blessed my family is..

When I think more in depth about having a "blessed life"..I get goose bumps. I have been thinking alot lately about how people spend their lives and then a friend of mine on facebook posted,"All the money in the world can't buy back the time you lose making it."...To me this is so true! My time with my husband and kids is SO precious to me!! Right now I feel like I have forever to get to know them and to let them know how much I love them...but I dont. My life here with them is so short! And I often find myself getting scared to be with out them, and I wonder..will they remember me?....I know they will, but I cant help but wonder..So while I am here with them I plan to make it the best time ever!!--Sheesh this blog turned to some what sad, which was not my intention...but at the same time it is such a good wake up call, and great motivation to not take your friends and family for granite.

My family is the greatest blessing...

I was sitting here talking to Ella and she got up to go to the bathroom, I said I love you Ella! And she was running out of the room, then peaked her head back and said "I love you more mommy"......Seriously Ella..way to make my heart melt!!! You are so rotten sometimes..and then you do things like this and Im reminded that your not so bad:):) I love you SO SO much sweetheart!!

Question of the day: What is the greatest blessing in your life?

Until next time,
Michelle

Tis the season

Well, its 11:45 and I just got off work at Subway. Now I am snuggled up on the couch with nothing but the light of the Christmas tree, ready to type this blog!:) I love this time of year!

I have done alot of my Christmas shopping this week and the number one gift I am so excited to give I cant mention because the person recieving this might be reading this..hehe:) BUT the sencond gift I am so excited to give is to Ella..its a desk for her room..its a toddler dest nothing to fancy..but PERRECT for her! Im going to put it together Christmas Eve and fill it with notebooks, crayons, paint supplies, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, stickers...ect..she is going to LOVE it! Elijahs big gift this year was his dresser, I know its a pretty boring gift..but I figure he is only 6 months old and isnt going to know any different AND he is going to be spoiled by friends and family anyways. We did get him one of those swings that you hang from a tree..and we are going to hang it out back on the deck! I cant wait, hes going to love it! This year Brad and I decided not to get eachother anything to help with our budjet...BUT Ella told that he has a ring in the garage! I tried to go out with her to look for it but she had noo clue what she was talking about! I find it wierd that she said that beacuse she wouldnt just think of that on her own..but I could not find anything lol!




We had a great Thankgiving! We visited my family which is about an hour from here. I had a great time catching up with family and meeting a couple of the new babies in our family! Then we went to Brads familys and its always a great time!

Its become a tradition for us to go Black Friday shopping every year. The kids go to Brads mom and dads and hit up the stores that have what we want. We honestly didnt have a to much we were interested in this year...we just went and bought some stuff we probably didnt need...ooooops:)


Anywho I will be updating again..sooner than later this time!! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend!!

Question of the day: Did you go black friday shopping, if so what was your best deal!?