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
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
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
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
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
Friday, July 16, 2010
Rash-Be-Gone
So in the 9 days since I last posted, I am sooo happy to report that we have not had one SINGLE rash!!! I feel like I have finally conquered the dreaded red monster! Tatum had some pretty bad diarrhea last weekend at the sitters house, and she just get slathering on the Magic Stick at every diaper change, and not even a bit of redness. That Magic Stick really lives up to it's name :)
Those of you who really know me know why it has taken nine whole days to get back on here and update the old blog. For those of you who don't, let me enlighten you. I am buying a new house!!! I just happened to find the most perfect house, in the most perfect location, for the most perfect price. The stars all aligned, and my offer got accepted this past Monday. So there ya have it... another house for me :) Going to have the inspection done on Tuesday. Closing in early September. Should be interesting packing up the house with a toddler. Especially one who likes to empty boxes (and bags, and dishwashers!)
Got some Earth Mom and Baby Bumboo fitteds in the mail the other day. I need to check on how to prep them. Looking at using them with maybe an extra insert and a cover for a nighttime diaper. These things are way soft! I could just sit there and pet and cuddle them. Can't you just picture it, me rubbing my face with a diaper! You would completely understand if you felt them, though. Also got some Dream-Eze fitteds that are made by the same company that makes GroVia/GroBaby diapers. So those need to prepped the same, 5-6 wash/dry cycles, fully absorbent after 8-10 washes. Also going to try those with a cover for nighttime. Tonight before bed I put her in a Dream-Eze AIO with an extra fleece booster. We shall see how that does in the morning.
I do believe the Tater Tot is going through a growth spurt! Grazed all day long, and two naps today! I couldn't believe she fell asleep at 7:30 last night while cuddling on the couch. Up at 6, then asleep again at 9:15 for a two hour nap, then down again at 4 for another hour. She NEVER does this! And she is eating everything in sight! Definitely a growth spurt.
Anyway, off to bed for this tired mommy. 4:45 comes awfully early! It's a work weekend for me :)
TaTa for now!
T8rTotMom
Those of you who really know me know why it has taken nine whole days to get back on here and update the old blog. For those of you who don't, let me enlighten you. I am buying a new house!!! I just happened to find the most perfect house, in the most perfect location, for the most perfect price. The stars all aligned, and my offer got accepted this past Monday. So there ya have it... another house for me :) Going to have the inspection done on Tuesday. Closing in early September. Should be interesting packing up the house with a toddler. Especially one who likes to empty boxes (and bags, and dishwashers!)
Got some Earth Mom and Baby Bumboo fitteds in the mail the other day. I need to check on how to prep them. Looking at using them with maybe an extra insert and a cover for a nighttime diaper. These things are way soft! I could just sit there and pet and cuddle them. Can't you just picture it, me rubbing my face with a diaper! You would completely understand if you felt them, though. Also got some Dream-Eze fitteds that are made by the same company that makes GroVia/GroBaby diapers. So those need to prepped the same, 5-6 wash/dry cycles, fully absorbent after 8-10 washes. Also going to try those with a cover for nighttime. Tonight before bed I put her in a Dream-Eze AIO with an extra fleece booster. We shall see how that does in the morning.
I do believe the Tater Tot is going through a growth spurt! Grazed all day long, and two naps today! I couldn't believe she fell asleep at 7:30 last night while cuddling on the couch. Up at 6, then asleep again at 9:15 for a two hour nap, then down again at 4 for another hour. She NEVER does this! And she is eating everything in sight! Definitely a growth spurt.
Anyway, off to bed for this tired mommy. 4:45 comes awfully early! It's a work weekend for me :)
TaTa for now!
T8rTotMom
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
What's New
So the rash has pretty much been conquered!!! She still gets a little red now and then, but that is mostly after pooping. Apparently Tater Tot has some caustic stool :P
We have used our GroBaby's a few more times, each time with a BioLiner and had very few issues. We also got our Magic Sticks last week. Those things really live up to their names! She started getting the slightest bit red, slathered her up with one of the sticks, and it was completely gone by the next diaper change!!! And they smell great! You also don't end up getting goop all over your hands :)
The RumpaRooz are working really well. I am not as scared of a pocket diaper as I thought I would be! Very easy to use. My only qualm is that if she is running around with no pants on she will occasionally bare her butt and strip. But all toddlers do this, so I am not concerned. It's kinda cute to watch her go streaking around the house :)
Still loving my KissaLuv Marvels. These have been my go-to overnight diaper. I can slide a couple of hemp boosters in there and have NO leak issues overnight.
I haven't really used my Dream-Eze AIO's yet. They are made by the same company as GroBaby's, so they have the cotton inside of them. Plus they seem a little bulky. They are not my favorite, but I keep them in the back of the stash cart for when I need something to stay on for a while due to being out and about.
I got my BumGenius last night by UPS. I ordered them off of Kelly's Closet, and when I oredered them I ended up getting a couple of free HappyHeinyz as well. I washed all of those last night and put a BG on her this morning. We had zero leak issues. I think those will be good to send to the babysitter's. I am slowly going to transition her into using full cloth :) Also got some Thirstie's reusable cloth wipes at the same time. Those things are soooooooo soft. Started using them this am with some California Baby No Burn Butt Wash instead of using disposable wipes. They clean her up really well!
I am also LOVING the FuzziBunz I am using! Those things snap on really easily, I have had no leaking, and no rash issues with them! Let me tell you, I am really becoming a pocket diaper fan! So easy to use!!! Sure, stuffing them all takes a bit, but you just sit there and stuff while you watch tv and they get done quick! Plus I love all the absorbency options. Different absorbency inserts for different situations. Makes it all very easy to do!
My next water bill is going to be pretty high compared to what I am used to, due to all the prepping and frequent washing before I got my stash fully built up, but now I have enough fluff that I will only have to wash diapers about every 3 days! I am also thinking of getting one of those sprayers for the toilet I was talking about previously. Getting a little tired of dunking :) But all in all this has been a pretty good experiment!
Plus, all (well, almost all) of my diapers are one-size, so they are going to be put to great use when baby number two arrives :) Yep, that's right. I said it. Baby #2!!! I am preparing to take this crazy ride again! Going back to see the Fertility Doctor in August to re-establish as a patient and start working towards another little stinker :) So... pretty soon will be updating this blog as a TTC journey!
Oh, and I am also getting some fitted diapers! Those are the ones that snap on, but you have to put a cover over them. Gonna give those a try as well! Will let you know how those go.
All in all, this experiment has been a good experience for me. I am enjoying using cloth diapers, knowing that in the end (ha ha) I am saving money, and not putting anything nasty and chemical filled on my baby's butt! So for all of you out there that are thinking that you couldn't do it.... give it a try! You just might be surprised at how easy it is!
TaTa for now!
TaterTotMom
We have used our GroBaby's a few more times, each time with a BioLiner and had very few issues. We also got our Magic Sticks last week. Those things really live up to their names! She started getting the slightest bit red, slathered her up with one of the sticks, and it was completely gone by the next diaper change!!! And they smell great! You also don't end up getting goop all over your hands :)
The RumpaRooz are working really well. I am not as scared of a pocket diaper as I thought I would be! Very easy to use. My only qualm is that if she is running around with no pants on she will occasionally bare her butt and strip. But all toddlers do this, so I am not concerned. It's kinda cute to watch her go streaking around the house :)
Still loving my KissaLuv Marvels. These have been my go-to overnight diaper. I can slide a couple of hemp boosters in there and have NO leak issues overnight.
I haven't really used my Dream-Eze AIO's yet. They are made by the same company as GroBaby's, so they have the cotton inside of them. Plus they seem a little bulky. They are not my favorite, but I keep them in the back of the stash cart for when I need something to stay on for a while due to being out and about.
I got my BumGenius last night by UPS. I ordered them off of Kelly's Closet, and when I oredered them I ended up getting a couple of free HappyHeinyz as well. I washed all of those last night and put a BG on her this morning. We had zero leak issues. I think those will be good to send to the babysitter's. I am slowly going to transition her into using full cloth :) Also got some Thirstie's reusable cloth wipes at the same time. Those things are soooooooo soft. Started using them this am with some California Baby No Burn Butt Wash instead of using disposable wipes. They clean her up really well!
I am also LOVING the FuzziBunz I am using! Those things snap on really easily, I have had no leaking, and no rash issues with them! Let me tell you, I am really becoming a pocket diaper fan! So easy to use!!! Sure, stuffing them all takes a bit, but you just sit there and stuff while you watch tv and they get done quick! Plus I love all the absorbency options. Different absorbency inserts for different situations. Makes it all very easy to do!
My next water bill is going to be pretty high compared to what I am used to, due to all the prepping and frequent washing before I got my stash fully built up, but now I have enough fluff that I will only have to wash diapers about every 3 days! I am also thinking of getting one of those sprayers for the toilet I was talking about previously. Getting a little tired of dunking :) But all in all this has been a pretty good experiment!
Plus, all (well, almost all) of my diapers are one-size, so they are going to be put to great use when baby number two arrives :) Yep, that's right. I said it. Baby #2!!! I am preparing to take this crazy ride again! Going back to see the Fertility Doctor in August to re-establish as a patient and start working towards another little stinker :) So... pretty soon will be updating this blog as a TTC journey!
Oh, and I am also getting some fitted diapers! Those are the ones that snap on, but you have to put a cover over them. Gonna give those a try as well! Will let you know how those go.
All in all, this experiment has been a good experience for me. I am enjoying using cloth diapers, knowing that in the end (ha ha) I am saving money, and not putting anything nasty and chemical filled on my baby's butt! So for all of you out there that are thinking that you couldn't do it.... give it a try! You just might be surprised at how easy it is!
TaTa for now!
TaterTotMom
Friday, July 2, 2010
Naptime Update!
Sorry, just a quick little note while the Tater Tot is down for a nap.
Going all "hi-tech" and will be on twitter... follow me @t8rtotmom!
Also added a new button.... a blogger gives away free fluff on "free fluff fridays"!! you can check them out by clicking on the button to the left!
Going all "hi-tech" and will be on twitter... follow me @t8rtotmom!
Also added a new button.... a blogger gives away free fluff on "free fluff fridays"!! you can check them out by clicking on the button to the left!
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