Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Yeast Monster!

So, yeah. The yeast monster has reared his ugly head at my house. You remember that "occasional yeastie beastie" comment I made in my last post? Well little did I realize that the yeast makes it's way into the diaper itself! So full blown red butt yeast rash came on. And when that happens you get to treat your baby's butt, AND your diapers, for yeast.

It really wasn't that bad. Lot's of washing with different stuff. Start off with a soak in some Rockin Green and hot water, then wash with grapefruit seed extract and tea tree oil, then wash again and put white vinegar in the rinse, then keep rinsing until all the smell of vinegar and tea tree oil is gone. It took a couple of days to treat all of her diapers, but it's done!

Then I had to get creative with a way to treat her butt for the yeast rash and NOT ruin my fluff! I have some Grandma El's Diaper Rash Ointment that is designed for cloth diapers. A little bit goes a VERY long way. And from all my years working in the pharmacy I know that they make a nystatin powder. Nystatin is an antifungal agent, and I used to use nystatin cream when she got a yeast rash with disposable diapers. So my brilliant idea was to get a script for the nystatin powder, and have my favorite pharmacist compound it with the Grandma El's to make a nystatin ointment that was fluff friendly. It worked!!!! Used it four times a day for about 10 days and her butt is back to it's lovely smoothness. And we are BOTH happy about that!

The Christmas Season is upon us again. I am so NOT into battling the Black Friday hordes for stuff at 3am, but I am more than happy to sit at my computer at midnight to shop. My favorite laundry detergent, Rockin' Green, debuted their new holiday scent and gift pack at midnight the day after Thanksgiving. Talk about a madhouse! Apparently so many mama's logged on to shop that it crashed their "webcart" server! So like an idiot, I sat at my computer for 3 hours trying to buy laundry detergent! I was dragging at work the next day. It was not a pretty sight. BUT, my new bags of Rockin Green will be here tomorrow. Included in there will be some Funk Rock that I spoke of in my last post. Can't wait to try and de-funk my diapers!

On the new baby front- I had to put off trying until after the first of the year. There was some drama at work that stressed me out a bit, and my options for overtime shifts got limited due to staffing. So first attempt will be next month. My coworkers joked about how horrible I was on the fertility drugs the last time. Let's see if they notice when I start taking them again :)

I am looking forward to my little brother visiting in a couple of weeks. My mom told me last night that he will be here for about three weeks. That guy is getting put to work at helping me clean and paint the old house to get it on the market. I know, I still haven't finished moving out all my stuff yet. It is just so hard to try and get stuff done with a 2 year old around! I never knew how much stuff she could find interesting, until she managed to destroy every room in my house. And I am not kidding when I say EVERY room!!!! But I love her to death and wouldn't trade her for all the gold in the world.

Right now we are working on getting familiar with sitting on the potty. She is able to pull her own pants down and undo her diaper and sit on the potty. I just haven't been able to time that with a moment that she actually needs to pee. But I am happy that she sits on the potty without putting up a fight!

Anyway, a few more things to get done while the Tot is down for a nap!

Merry Christmas everyone!

TaTa for Now!

TaterTotMom

Friday, October 29, 2010

Things that have happened

So where to start....

My last post was just after returning from our trip to California. It seems like ages ago but it's only been two months.

September 9 I closed on the new house. A few minor snags at closing, but pretty smooth overall. I got the call that it was all mine the very next morning after funding was received by the title company. So I am the proud owner of TWO houses. If I can just get the other one sold, now....

We moved in to the new house October 1. The Tot's 2nd birthday. Happy birthday baby! Here's your birthday present for the next 30 years! :D

It has been an ordeal with AT&T trying to get my phone service started. First, they lost the order, then they didn't release the order from the old phone number, then they didn't put the new jack in the computer room. As of this morning it is all done, and I am now (FINALLY) able to get back online.

Have been seeing Dr. Ripps again. Lots of bloodwork and ultrasounds and peeing on sticks to check for ovulation. What it all boils down to is that my ovaries think I am older than I actually am. It may take a few tries more for this next little bundle than it did to get the Tot. That's okay. I have enough specimens in storage for six attempts. If it doesn't happen in that amount of time then it wasn't meant to be, and I am okay with that. Our first attempt will be in December. I am almost hoping it doesn't take straight away so that I will be able to take maternity leave over the holidays and not have to work Christmas and New Year's next year. I know, kind of silly, but there you have it!

I talked to my birthdaughter on my birthday! She called me while I was at work. I didn't get to talk for long, because, hello! I work in an ER. We are never NOT busy! But it was good to talk to her. At least I know she still loves me, even though she is a teenager :D I talked to her mom for a bit on Wednesday night. I told her of my plans for another baby, and she said "You are CRAZY! But I guess it's good, she needs a little brother or sister." We agreed that the 3 year spacing is a good thing, better than her 8.5 month spacing. Totally unplanned, by the way :) The lord works in mysterious ways.

Anyway, we are still cloth diapering. I am letting another co-worker do another trial. He has a 6 week old baby girl, and he and his girlfriend are excited to try fluffing the baby's butt. I have warned him, however, that it does become an addiction. I think he has realized that by all my talk about cloth. Fuzzibunz, BumGenius, GroVia, Rump-a-Rooz, Kissaluvs, pockets, AIO's, AI2's, inserts, covers. His head is starting to swim! At least I will get some good use out of the small fitted diapers I have bought for the next little one. Already prepped and ready to go! One step to eliminate when prepping for arrival.

Some big news in the cloth world! My FAVORITE diaper detergent has a new product coming out next month that I am DYING to try! Rockin' Green is releasing a product called Funk Rock to help eliminate ammonia buildup in dipes! I am so ready for this! HAVE to get in on the preorder now! When I open the diaper pail my eyes start to water from the ammonia smell, and I have to hold my breath on laundry day while I am dumping them in the washer. I will have to do a review once I get some in and let you know how it works. I am hoping it will cut down on the stinkies.

Other than that not much else is new. Still plugging away at the cloth diaper thing, and still LOVING it! Occasional yeastie beasties on the butt, mostly when she poops while taking a nap or sleeping, which isn't very often. I have become a VERY big fan of California Baby Calming Diaper Rash Cream for this. It has been the only product I have found over the counter to combat yeast. It has tea tree oil in it, as well as a bunch of other all natural, food grade products. What this means is that when the Tot gets into the diaper bag, pulls out the tube, opens it up, and gets it everywhere (including in her mouth!) I don't worry one bit. And it smells yummy too!


I do have one last little bit of business to take care of. I have to throw some love to www.babysteals.com and www.kidsteals.com These are two of the best shopping sites on the web for boutique baby/kids items. I can't tell you how much I have spent since discovering their daily deal sites. And ever since Babysteals went to TWO deals a day, I am even more in trouble! Just a few of the awesome products I have bought from them: Little Soles squeaky shoes (that are gracing the feet of another little girl now that they are too small for us), my ERGO carriers (the lifesaver on the trip to Cali), my Tie-Chair (another lifesaver on the trip to Cali), BabyLegs leg warmers to keep little legs warm in the chilly mornings, Lollitop hat that is going to be perfect with our new pettiskirt for 2 year pics, Rabbit Moon blanket that she cuddles up with every night, Twilight Turtle that keeps her calm at bedtime, DC Toddler shoes that rock her feet just about every day, and RuffleButt bloomers to grace her fluffy bottom under her pettiskirt. Yes, ladies and gents, I am officially a "Steals" addict! Not to mention the fact that their Facebook page fans are the ones who helped to nudge (shove) me into this whole cloth diaper experiment! Thanks mamas!!

TaTa for now!

TaterTotMom

Updating tonight

Just a quick note, finally got computer access! Will try and do an update on the last two months tonight after the Tot goes to bed!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

So How Did It Go?

Well, I'm back! The trip went really well. The Tot traveled very well, which I was so proud of! She slept for two of the three flights out, and she slept on the longest flight on the way home. On our way back home I had people commenting on how well behaved she was. Grinning like a proud mommy!!!

So we did have a snag. Apparently my brother does NOT have soft water, like his wife told me. We had to make a mad scramble to find water softener (White King is wonderful!) so that my detergent would work and I wouldn't end up with stinkies (ammonia odor for those of you not in the know). Other than that the whole laundry bit went really well. My sister-in-law thinks I am a brave woman! She tried the old-school style cloth diapers with one of my nieces and gave it up after two weeks. She applauds me for going at it for the past two months. After showing her the diapers I brought, she was amazed at the options out there. Too bad there will be no more little ones for them to fluff up!

Now for Disneyland! We made the trip to "The Happiest Place On Earth" while out in California. So what was in the diaper bag?????? GROBABY'S!!!!! They take up less space so I could pack a smaller bag, which meant less to haul around all day :) Changing was easy, as there are changing stations in EVERY bathroom there. I was even able to change her while riding the train around Disneyland. Hey, when you're wet, you're wet!

Did you know some hotels have laundry rooms for guests to use?????? Thank heavens! Was able to do a load of diapers while staying at the hotel in Anaheim. It cost me six bucks, but it was worth it! Just one more reason I feel comfortable traveling with cloth! My only wish was that I had a portable diaper sprayer :) I am so spoiled!

In other news, the conception journey has begun. Had my first appt with the fertility doctor this past Friday. The really good news is that I may not have to take medications like last time :) Bonus!!! I am sure my coworkers will appreciate that!

Closing on the house in just eight more days!!!!

Busy busy busy!!!

TaTa for now!!

TaterTotMom

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Travel Time!

Okay, so how to travel with cloth?????

I am flying out tomorrow to spend 9 glorious days in California. This is really going to be an adventure. Not only is it the Tot's first plane trip, it is our first trip PERIOD with cloth diapers. So what do you take????? Do you just say to heck with it and go with disposables for the trip? I mean, that seems like it would be the easiest thing, right?

Now what kind of adventure would this cloth diaper experiment be if I just chucked it all and went with disposables for the trip? I mean, if I'm gonna do this, I may as well go all the way, right? So now I get to answer the question of how to travel with cloth diapers!

Luckily this trip is to go see family, so I really won't have to worry about laundry. I had some sample packs of Rockin Green shipped to my brother's house (they arrived yesterday, yay!!!). So now I don't have to worry about how to wash them while away. But what "them" am I going to be washing? What part of my "stash" do I pack? Read on, mamas, read on!

I packed the diaper bag first. 3 Fuzzibunz and 3 bumgenius, plus one overstuffed Rump-a-Rooz for overnight just in case the luggage gets lost! Plus about a dozen washcloths that I use for diaper wipes. Also packed 2 changes of clothes and a couple of miscellaneous things that wouldn't really fit in the carry on. Her emergency medicine supply (motrin and benadryl, plus a thermometer), 3 travel wetbags, and her Issie blanket. Check.

In the suitcase I managed to squeeze in 6 more bumgenius, another Rump-a-Rooz for overnight, and 6 GroBaby shells with insert and booster in each. Plus 4 more inserts and boosters. I now have packed enough to only have to do laundry every third day, but will probably wash every other day just so I don't get stinkies. Plus the travel wetbags don't really hold that much.

I have also packed her iPlay swim diaper. My brother's fam has a pool, and this will be the Tot's first swim experience. I am sooooo excited for her. I hope she loves the water as much as her mama does!

So if I am able to I will try and do an update while on vacay, to let you know how the plane trip went and how the travelling is doing. If not then it will probably be about 2 weeks before I can do another update.

Wish me happy travels and good luck!!! I have a feeling I am going to need it!!!!!

TaTa for now!
TaterTotMom

Thursday, August 5, 2010

30 minutes of fluff

So The Cloth Diaper Whisperer, the awsome people that bring us Fluff Fridays, are also sponsors of 30 minutes of fluff! On now, your chance to win a KnickerNappies diaper sprayer! A Diaper sprayer is never a bad thing to have, as I also use mine to help rinse out the tub after cleaning, so I'm not running all that water through the faucet, a little more of a controlled water usage :)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Rolling Right Along

Well, it's nice to say that the last couple of weeks have been good in the cloth diaper world. We have gotten into a routine and have been rash free :)

I have invested in a diaper sprayer. $20 on E-Bay! Definitely money well spent. I had been having some staining issues with poop. Since using the sprayer I am able to get the diapers rinsed really well before putting them in the diaper pail to wait till laundry time. Has really made a difference. If the diaper still has a little bit of staining, I work some real magic..... lay it out in the sun all day! I have heard it talked about forever on different websited, and I finally gave it a try myself. I laid out three diapers that still showed a little bit of staining. At first I was sure it wasn't working. I only had the things out there for a couple of hours. I am soooo impatient! I fixed that, though. Put them out in the morning before I go to work. That way I'm not running out there every 10 minutes to check and see if they are white yet. You have to really let them sit out there all day long, but it's true! The sun really does bleach them back to white!!!

So I am getting ready to tackly my next cloth diaper issue.... travelling. I will be flying next week to California with my mom to visit my brother and his family. We will gone for 9 days, including flying. I am really not looking forward to flying with the Tot. It will be our first plane trip. My two saving graces... my mom and layovers! We are going to be on three different planes, and it appears that the longest single flight will be not quite three hours. We have two different layovers that are at least an hour each. Maybe she can stay put for a couple of hours then run around and get all that cooped up energy out while switching planes :) One can only dream....

Still debating which diapers to take and how many to take. I can't quite pack up my whole stash (dangit!!!). So the question is... pockets or hybrids??? Do I pack my bumgenius or my grobaby's??? Do I take some of each? What is going to be the best way to do this? We will be staying with my brother and his wife and kids, so laundry will not really be an issue. I have already ordered some Rockin Green samples to be shipped to them so I don't have to worry about soap (one issue dealt with!). Also to take into consideration.... spending a day at Disneyland while there! It seems like the groBaby's will take up the least amount of space, but I have to change them a little more frequently so I have to make sure to take enough inserts and soakers. What to do, what to do? Hmmmmm.....

In other news, last weekend the Tot went to the babysitters with nothing but cloth diapers! No disposable inserts!!! I ran out and didn't buy anymore, so I said "What the heck! Now is as good a time as any to go for it with the babysitter!" Miss Ruby did very well. She is such a saving grace for me. She has been willing to work me on the whole cloth thing, and hasn't given me any grief about it. I wish all childcare providers were as great as her! Our only issue this weekend: the Tot taking off her diaper when she wears a dress. Have to make sure to put a onesie or some shorts on her or she will strip herself nekkid! I don't mind it so much here at home, but Ruby about has a heart attack when the Tot strips! She is worried about her pooping and peeing without a diaper on. I just look at it as one more sign we are getting closer to potty training!

Posting will be somewhat sporadic for a bit. Besides taking the leap and going for Tot #2, I have also bought a new house!!!! Closing early in September, and then moving, so every extra minute is filled with something!!!

Also, for my friend who I loaned the diapers to, hope the trial went smooth! Can't wait to see you Friday morning to find out how it all went!!!!

TaTa for now!!

TaterTotMom