In continuation of my last post about cloth diapers, I've put up a video demonstration for you to see, too! Enjoy!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Oregon Coast
For the first time since Eli was born, Jake and I had the pleasure of going on a weekend vacation (one night of which, we had all to ourselves!!). We were soooo blessed to be able to use Jake's aunt/uncle's beach house in Waldport, OR. It was absolutely GORGEOUS and was built on top of a cliff overlooking a sandy beach (you don't see too many of those in WA!).
The drive took about 6 hours, but it worked out perfectly both times, because we waited until later in the day when Eli usually takes his 3-4 hour nap, stopped once to eat/feed and change the baby/stretch our legs, and then hopped in the car again just as Eli drifted off for the rest of the night! Basically, he slept both ways, and we had a nice relaxing drive (thank you GOD!). When we arrived late on Thursday night (which was also our anniversary), we put Eli down to bed, and got to hear the ocean waves right out the window of our room, though we couldn't see much! The next morning, we got to sleep in, and wake up to the most amazing view of the water right out our window!!
We enjoyed the morning leisurely, taking pictures of the seals right across from the house, walking the beach with Eli, and enjoying the beach house before the rest of the family got there. I felt like we were millions of miles away from home (in a good way), with all the time in the world! And I had my two favorite boys to share it with!
Later on Friday, we were joined by Aunt Patty, Cousin Alison, and Alison's son Gavin (2 years old, and inevitably the gang leader of our growing group of baby boys!). Gavin was SOOO interested in baby Eli, and couldn't wait to see him and hold him! We snuck into the bedroom to spy on sleeping Eli during his nap, and after lots of "shhh-ing," whispering, and tip-toeing, cute little Gavin got so excited that he shouted in glee for his mom on the way out of the bedroom! hahaha Good thing Eli is a sound sleeper! Gavin and Eli have a lot in common in that they are both reeeaaally tall for their age, and people often mistake them for being older than they are!
Later on, Grandma and Grandpa Bollinger showed up, and we all enjoyed a fun day of visiting before the Cramer's had to leave. The grandparents babysat the kiddos while Jake, Ali and I went shopping downtown - it was fun to get some "adult time." Uncle Casey, Aunt Cassie and baby Jack came in late that night, so we saw them the next morning. On Saturday, we had some girl time down at the shops again, and also brought the baby cousins down to the beach to get some pictures. Eli thought the sand was really interesting, and loved to move his hands around in it (which of course resulted in sand-in-the-mouth, despite our lightning-fast parental reflexes). It was all a great experience for Eli, regardless! He'll be like his daddy - growing up eating things like dirt...and fertilizer.....and dog medicine.......(thanks big sister Cassie!), and his immune system will be all the better for it! HAH!
We celebrated my birthday that night (so that we could save Sunday for Mother's Day), and had a fun night working on puzzles with Grandma B. Sunday was Mother's Day, so we had a special Mexican-style brunch with John Wayne Casserole, potatoes, chili and mimosas, and then Jake and I spent our last day flying a kite down on the beach with Eli. He seemed somewhat interested in the rainbow colors, but wasn't a huge fan of the wind or looking up into the bright sky. Oh well...it was fun for us, at least! Jake and I agree that this weekend was such an awesome 4th anniversary/birthday/Mother's Day blessing, and such a great chance to relax with family in one of our favorite settings on earth! Hopefully when Eli grows up, he will love the beach just as much as his parents do!
The drive took about 6 hours, but it worked out perfectly both times, because we waited until later in the day when Eli usually takes his 3-4 hour nap, stopped once to eat/feed and change the baby/stretch our legs, and then hopped in the car again just as Eli drifted off for the rest of the night! Basically, he slept both ways, and we had a nice relaxing drive (thank you GOD!). When we arrived late on Thursday night (which was also our anniversary), we put Eli down to bed, and got to hear the ocean waves right out the window of our room, though we couldn't see much! The next morning, we got to sleep in, and wake up to the most amazing view of the water right out our window!!
We enjoyed the morning leisurely, taking pictures of the seals right across from the house, walking the beach with Eli, and enjoying the beach house before the rest of the family got there. I felt like we were millions of miles away from home (in a good way), with all the time in the world! And I had my two favorite boys to share it with!
Later on Friday, we were joined by Aunt Patty, Cousin Alison, and Alison's son Gavin (2 years old, and inevitably the gang leader of our growing group of baby boys!). Gavin was SOOO interested in baby Eli, and couldn't wait to see him and hold him! We snuck into the bedroom to spy on sleeping Eli during his nap, and after lots of "shhh-ing," whispering, and tip-toeing, cute little Gavin got so excited that he shouted in glee for his mom on the way out of the bedroom! hahaha Good thing Eli is a sound sleeper! Gavin and Eli have a lot in common in that they are both reeeaaally tall for their age, and people often mistake them for being older than they are!
Later on, Grandma and Grandpa Bollinger showed up, and we all enjoyed a fun day of visiting before the Cramer's had to leave. The grandparents babysat the kiddos while Jake, Ali and I went shopping downtown - it was fun to get some "adult time." Uncle Casey, Aunt Cassie and baby Jack came in late that night, so we saw them the next morning. On Saturday, we had some girl time down at the shops again, and also brought the baby cousins down to the beach to get some pictures. Eli thought the sand was really interesting, and loved to move his hands around in it (which of course resulted in sand-in-the-mouth, despite our lightning-fast parental reflexes). It was all a great experience for Eli, regardless! He'll be like his daddy - growing up eating things like dirt...and fertilizer.....and dog medicine.......(thanks big sister Cassie!), and his immune system will be all the better for it! HAH!
We celebrated my birthday that night (so that we could save Sunday for Mother's Day), and had a fun night working on puzzles with Grandma B. Sunday was Mother's Day, so we had a special Mexican-style brunch with John Wayne Casserole, potatoes, chili and mimosas, and then Jake and I spent our last day flying a kite down on the beach with Eli. He seemed somewhat interested in the rainbow colors, but wasn't a huge fan of the wind or looking up into the bright sky. Oh well...it was fun for us, at least! Jake and I agree that this weekend was such an awesome 4th anniversary/birthday/Mother's Day blessing, and such a great chance to relax with family in one of our favorite settings on earth! Hopefully when Eli grows up, he will love the beach just as much as his parents do!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Cloth Diapering!
During my pregnancy, Jake and I decided to check out the option of cloth diapers (at the recommendation of quite a few friends who love them). The advantages seemed pretty good - both financially, and environmentally. And I am SO GLAD that we chose them as our primary method of diapering at home (during long trips, it's often easiest to use disposables), because we have already saved hundreds of dollars, and we expect that number to go well into the thousands as we have more children. Of course, I don't make any financial decision lightly, and had to research the options thoroughly beforehand. And not surprisingly, many, MANY people have asked me about it as they prepare for their own babies. SO! I decided to just post all my research so that it's out there for anyone who is interested! I am also planning on uploading a video, or at least some photos so you can see how easy (and cute) it really is! ENJOY!
Overall, I've calculated that (depending on the brand and whether the size is adjustable), most people spend between 200 and 450 on their cloth diaper stash, as compared to 1600 to 2000 dollars on disposables from birth to potty training. Granted, you have to pay for water costs to wash them, but almost all my friends with high-efficiency washers didn't even notice a difference on their bill, and we haven't either! There are quite a few options out there, and it can quickly get overwhelming, so I put together a spreadsheet with the options that were important to me, and estimated cost (my favorites are highlighted). Here are some of the options to think about:
1. Type of diaper - my favorites are:
-cover with pre-folds so you can switch the prefold inserts out but keep the same cover for most of the day...provided there's not a gigantic mess! (Grovia makes an insert that snaps in so it doesn't move around)
-all-in-one (AIO) which is essentially just like a disposable in that you change the entire diaper out each time. Because of this, you'll probably need more of them, but they are easier in some ways
-hybrid (Grovia and G-Baby make these), which basically include a disposable/flushable liner that is good at catching solids, etc. - they're awesome, but can get expensive
-Rumparooz makes a pocket diaper that looks like an AIO, but you can put extra inserts/soakers into a flap for heavy wetters, etc.
2. Adjustable size (or "One Size")
-I LOVED this option because it's such a money-saver! These diapers have a series of snaps across the front that can be used to adjust the size of the diaper from newborn all the way to potty training! So you can get away with one stash the entire time! However, I've heard that the ones that last for 2(ish) years don't always fit quite right, so I opted for the ones that go from birth to 1 year, and then another set from 1 year to potty training
3. Snaps or Velcro (no need to worry about using safety pins anymore! haha)
-again, depends on your preference - snaps will last longer with lots of washing, but aren't quite as quick or as adjustable as a patch of velcro (hook and loop). Something to keep in mind is that babies may learn to undo the velcro once they get a little older! Grovia has an option where you can send your covers in to convert to a snap system for a small fee if you'd like to do it later on.
4. Type of material
-especially when it comes to inserts/prefolds, there are lots of options from hemp to cotton, and with a variety of layers. I'd get a good mix so that you have some super-absorbent soakers for naptime/nighttime, but also some that aren't as bulky during the day. Also, when the child starts to potty train, they say that a lot of absorbency isn't as great because they have to learn to feel and recognize the wetness. So, what you use might change over time as well.
5. Cost
-They range in price from around $10 a diaper all the way up to $35...seems really expensive, but when you consider that it's a one-time cost that will last you through potty training, and even through future children, it's really worth it! I decided to go with about 12 covers, 25 prefolds/soakers, a few pocket diapers, and a few all-in-ones (just to try them, and use them with a babysitter since they're a little easier). I didn't need as many because all the ones I'm getting are adjustable. After a lot of research, I chose the following brands: Thirsties wraps with prefolds, Grovia/Grobaby, and Rumparooz. Also remember that you'll need special detergent that is safe for cloth diapers, a wet, dry, or wet/dry pail (again, preference - you can research the difference..we use a dry pail with some baking soda and it works fine), cloth diaper-safe stain remover if you're concerned about stains, a sprayer if you'd like to try to remove most of the solids into the toilet before washing (GroVia has a bioliner that catches most of the solids so we haven't needed a sprayer), a wet bag for travel/errands, and cloth diaper-safe diaper rash cream.
Check out this website for a good variety of diapers and accessories: www.diaperjunction.com (I actually made a registry on here for my baby showers!), and also http://www.momsmilkboutique.com/
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT!! We absolutely LOVE using cloth, and Eli seems to actually prefer it on his bottom, too! In fact, almost everyone that has watched me change Eli using cloth has suddenly decided to consider it! So, please ask if you have any other questions! Video to follow...
Overall, I've calculated that (depending on the brand and whether the size is adjustable), most people spend between 200 and 450 on their cloth diaper stash, as compared to 1600 to 2000 dollars on disposables from birth to potty training. Granted, you have to pay for water costs to wash them, but almost all my friends with high-efficiency washers didn't even notice a difference on their bill, and we haven't either! There are quite a few options out there, and it can quickly get overwhelming, so I put together a spreadsheet with the options that were important to me, and estimated cost (my favorites are highlighted). Here are some of the options to think about:
1. Type of diaper - my favorites are:
-cover with pre-folds so you can switch the prefold inserts out but keep the same cover for most of the day...provided there's not a gigantic mess! (Grovia makes an insert that snaps in so it doesn't move around)
-all-in-one (AIO) which is essentially just like a disposable in that you change the entire diaper out each time. Because of this, you'll probably need more of them, but they are easier in some ways
-hybrid (Grovia and G-Baby make these), which basically include a disposable/flushable liner that is good at catching solids, etc. - they're awesome, but can get expensive
-Rumparooz makes a pocket diaper that looks like an AIO, but you can put extra inserts/soakers into a flap for heavy wetters, etc.
2. Adjustable size (or "One Size")
-I LOVED this option because it's such a money-saver! These diapers have a series of snaps across the front that can be used to adjust the size of the diaper from newborn all the way to potty training! So you can get away with one stash the entire time! However, I've heard that the ones that last for 2(ish) years don't always fit quite right, so I opted for the ones that go from birth to 1 year, and then another set from 1 year to potty training
3. Snaps or Velcro (no need to worry about using safety pins anymore! haha)
-again, depends on your preference - snaps will last longer with lots of washing, but aren't quite as quick or as adjustable as a patch of velcro (hook and loop). Something to keep in mind is that babies may learn to undo the velcro once they get a little older! Grovia has an option where you can send your covers in to convert to a snap system for a small fee if you'd like to do it later on.
4. Type of material
-especially when it comes to inserts/prefolds, there are lots of options from hemp to cotton, and with a variety of layers. I'd get a good mix so that you have some super-absorbent soakers for naptime/nighttime, but also some that aren't as bulky during the day. Also, when the child starts to potty train, they say that a lot of absorbency isn't as great because they have to learn to feel and recognize the wetness. So, what you use might change over time as well.
5. Cost
-They range in price from around $10 a diaper all the way up to $35...seems really expensive, but when you consider that it's a one-time cost that will last you through potty training, and even through future children, it's really worth it! I decided to go with about 12 covers, 25 prefolds/soakers, a few pocket diapers, and a few all-in-ones (just to try them, and use them with a babysitter since they're a little easier). I didn't need as many because all the ones I'm getting are adjustable. After a lot of research, I chose the following brands: Thirsties wraps with prefolds, Grovia/Grobaby, and Rumparooz. Also remember that you'll need special detergent that is safe for cloth diapers, a wet, dry, or wet/dry pail (again, preference - you can research the difference..we use a dry pail with some baking soda and it works fine), cloth diaper-safe stain remover if you're concerned about stains, a sprayer if you'd like to try to remove most of the solids into the toilet before washing (GroVia has a bioliner that catches most of the solids so we haven't needed a sprayer), a wet bag for travel/errands, and cloth diaper-safe diaper rash cream.
Check out this website for a good variety of diapers and accessories: www.diaperjunction.com (I actually made a registry on here for my baby showers!), and also http://www.momsmilkboutique.com/
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT!! We absolutely LOVE using cloth, and Eli seems to actually prefer it on his bottom, too! In fact, almost everyone that has watched me change Eli using cloth has suddenly decided to consider it! So, please ask if you have any other questions! Video to follow...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)