Cloth Diapering 101

This will be my 1st post of many on cloth diapering. Most of my friends have never done it and lately I have been getting a lot of questions about it. So in an effort to share my knowledge & explain the whys of cloth diapering I am going to do several posts on the subject.

My only experience with cloth diapers wasn't a pleasant one. My mom, back in the day used them with my brother. (23+ years ago) I remember the horrible smells, stains & pins...I get chills thinking about them. I cannot remember the number of times I got poked with them.

So the mere thought of using cloth diapers was nothing I had ever dreamed of doing when I had my own children. That is until I got re-acquainted with my friend Stacy. (long story on what happened there) and I saw the cute diaper butts on her girls. I was hooked from that moment on!! And then when I discovered the cost savings it was all over. We were going to do cloth diapers with our next baby, which we all know as Micah.

Bill's first thoughts were "What, you want to do what?" and to say he was thrilled would be an understatement. Even when I explained the cost savings and I showed him how cute the diapers were. He still thought I was crazy. I think I remember he even saying something along the lines of "Sure now that we've polluted the landfills with hundreds of diapers now you want to go green?"

The great thing about Bill is he will let me do my homework, investigate, explore and most times I talk myself out of whatever wild idea I have. Unfortunately, not this time. My homework, investigating and exploring only made me want to do them more. I am sure Bill got tired of hearing about Prefolds, fitted, pockets, Hybrids etc....

After much research & many calls/meetings with Stacy I decided to go her route and make my own. Yes, you are reading that right. Make my own, as in sew them. She had 2 different patterns that she has used with her girls and we settled on a "Trimsy" pattern. Which basically is a smaller diaper in the rise & narrower in the legs for my long & skinny baby boy.

Before I keep going let me explain a few things:

The Rise = the top front of diaper or cover to the top of the back of the cover or diaper is the rise

Prefold = these are like what our mom's used, only they are used inside a diaper cover. And they can be made of cotton, hemp, microfiber or a combination of these fabrics.

AIO (All in one) = they are a cloth diaper and diaper cover all in one piece. Example of an AIO are bumGenius

Hybrids = In a Hybrid Diaper, a reusable, outer cover wraps a disposable soaker pad in the same way diaper covers wrap around cloth diapers, except of course, the internal soaker pad is not reusable. An examples of a Hybrid are Grovia or gDiapers,

Pocket = Pocket Diapers are most similar to the AIO's but instead of the inner absorbent soaker sewn in, pocket diapers have a pocket to 'house' a removable insert. Examples of a pocket diaper is a Fuzzibunz.

Fitted = fitted diapers do not require folding and will typically secure in the front or side with snap or velcro closures. These diapers can grow with your child and usually will fit a child until 35lbs! Most of the major cloth diapering companies sell a fitted diaper.

Research sites:
http://www.diaperjunction.com/
http://www.swaddlebees.com/
http://www.mynewlifeasmom.com/
http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/
**and most of the major brands have great websites with lots of information on their specific diaper**

So I am making pocket diapers and buying my inserts. I have tried the microfiber inserts from Bumgenious and like them. But the "trimsy" pattern I am using will not fit them. I am going to most likely use Swaddlebee's hemp inserts.

We have been using Fuzzibunz (fitted large diaper) on Addie and loving them. These inserts are also made out of microfiber and are working great on her.

My next post I will talk about Micah's diapers, how I am making them and post some pictures of them. Stay tuned.

You know you're a mom of MSC.....part 2

Had so much fun coming up with these and talking about them with others that I am doing it again.......here we go

You know you're a mom of Many Small Children (MSC) when...........................

...You know what time of day it is by what cartoon show is on.

...Or when you've seen every episode of Yo Gabba Gabba and Caiou

...You've traded your favorite radio station in the car for the Little People CD and you listen to it over and over

...You have decided you've polluted the landfills enough and are now using cloth diapers

...You think cloth diapers are so cute and love seeing your daughter running around in them.

...You know you're a mom of MSC when you let your children sleep in their clothes from the day and then when they wake up the next morning look them over and yep, their clean enough for another day.

...I can carry the baby & a full laundry basket upstairs

...you sound like you have Tourette’s when you talk on the phone. “So, Sabrina, do you and the kids want to meet up for–GET DOWN FROM THE COUCH RIGHT NOW–do you guys want to meet us at McDonald’s for–NO, YOU CAN’T!–for lunch at 11:30 as soon as we–DO NOT PUSH YOUR SISTER DOWN OFF THE COUCH, OR ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER-get finished up here?”

...You and your hubby decide to get intimate & you discover you are leaking breast milk all over him & the bed...now that's a fun time....talk about mood spoiler ;o) Guess that means there wont be any more Team D members running around.

...Your pantry is filled with more snacks for the kids than it is for you. Graham crackers or fishy's anyone?

...You get the kids all put to bed finally, sit on the front porch, he smokes his pipe & you drink an adult beverage and you call it a "date night"

...You don't have any flowers in your flower boxes on the front porch because your child (shall remain anonymous - okay it's the middle child) has picked them all off the stems. But you do have lovely green stems & leaves.

...By 8am in the morning you have had at least 2 cups of coffee and that's a good morning.

...Before your 3rd child the laundry seemed to be manageable but now it is out of control and there are days where all you do is laundry. How can 3 small children create so much laundry??

...Before children you used to think that kids light up shoes weren't cute & said "I will never put my children in those shoes" - you rethink that statement when your child picks out some cute shoes and they are light up. She instantly falls in love with them & will not leave the store without those shoes.

...You find yourself turning into your own mother more and more each day and you wonder how you're mom survived. But surely if she can survive than so can I.

...You have discovered how to turn a double stroller into a stroller that can accommodate 3 children, a diaper bag, lunch bag, folding chair, dog on his leash and your latte. And you successfully make it to the park & back without loosing any of the children.

...While grocery shopping at Costco you find each & every sample lady and manage to feed yourself & the kids lunch and get the groceries bought. Now that is a good shopping trip!!

...You have perfected the garage sale Friday technique....lots of snacks, books & water bottles for the kiddos. And I am happy to report that I now have the ability to get out of the car, dash to the GSale, scan the items & decide if it's worth the browse in less than 5seconds. All before the kids start screaming for me. And let me tell ya, I am a quick garage sale customer now...get in and get out is the motto.

You know you're a mom of MSC.....

MckMama did a post this morning titled "You know you're a mom of MSC (many small children) when" And I laughed & laughed. Go read her post but first read my own list:

You know you're a mom of MSC when:

...You are still sleeping with at least 7 pillows from your pregnancy & your baby is 2months old

... When your child comes into your room at 6am and you just pretend she isn't there, hoping she will go back to her room. But she doesn't of course.

... Everywhere you go you hear "Wow, you've got your hands full"

... You often go 2days without a shower & baby powder is your newest hair accessory

... Baby spits up on you & you just leave it there, not paying attention to it till you realize hours later when you are in the grocery store.

... You run out of milk when you are pouring cereal for your kids and you add some water to the bowls.....after all it's non-fat, what's a little more water?

... Peanut Butter & jelly sandwiches are suddenly your favorite and you crave them even at night

... You say "Because I said so" at least 5x an hour

... Your favorite part of the day is nap time and you find yourself watching the clock

... Your wardrobe consists of sweatpants, tee shirts & more sweatpants

... When you recently got ready for a wedding you almost forgot what you looked like in a dress, hair all done up & make up. And were quite surprised at how nice you did look!

... You tell your husband you want to spend some "quality" time with him, you head upstairs, and you promptly fall asleep while he is taking a shower.

... You are often still in your pajamas at 11am and so are the kids

... You let the baby sleep in his clothes from the day before, the next morning assess if there is any spit up on them, find none & leave him in them for the 2ND day in a row.

... Coffee is your drink of choice - all day long

... You suddenly have a new appreciation for wine, since you were pregnant for the last 3 years and forgot how good wine really was.

... You have an ever growing pile of UN-matched socks. They go into washer together but do not come out together. Where do they go??

... You said you'd never allow your MSC to wear crocks. However, that changes when your child gets a pair from Nana & Grandma and they suddenly are all she will wear. And she can put them on herself - a plus!

... You eat the left overs off your children's plates and consider it your lunch

Things Ellia has been saying

Over the last few weeks Ellia has been talking more and more. And so much that now even Bill can understand her. (it used to be that I was the only one that knew what she was saying)

So I thought I'd compile a few things that she is saying:

"Addie I said you no play with my baby" - to which I reminded her, "That is Addie's baby"
"Well I burrow it now"


"Mama you too big for the tub" - said to me as she jumped in the tub with me the other night. And let me tell you that sure did wonders for my pregnant self esteem!!


"Mama I think Addie wants cookies"
She does
"Yes, she does"
Okay, then I will just give Addie some cookies
"Noooooo, I want them too"
Oh really, cause you said just Addie wanted cookies
"I meat we both"
Oh, okay you meant you both want cookies too. Gotcha


"Mama I not take a nap, I big girl & big girl not take naps today"
Ummm, I don't think so little one, you are taking a nap
"Ummmmm, just a minute..........she tilts her head OK I think so"



"ooooh bubba just licked my butt"
He did?
"Yes, I let him, he likes it"
Well, lets not let him do that anymore. And why are your panties & pants off anyways?
"Cause I wanted to let Bubba lick my butt"
That is not acceptable Ellia, please put your pants & undies back on right now.
"okay, mama"
"You mad mama?"
No, but I do not want Bubba licking your butt.
"That nasty"
Yes, that is nasty

Anyone up for a tea party?

I took this sweet video of the girls playing tea party last week. Had to share it.

"We do not put things up our nose"

We have officially adventured into the toddler years. I say that not because Ellia has started throwing fits. You, know the ones where she throws herself on the floor kind. Nor, because she says to me "I do it myself" Nor, because she is completely 100% potty trained, even at night.


Nope I tell you this because in the last 24hrs we have made 2 trips to the doctor for nose extractions. Neither time did we actually have to have a nose extraction but none the less we have made the trips.

Yesterday, G & G came over for a couple of hours. We went to the park to play and had a lot of fun. Grandpa sat between the girls in the backseat....quite a sight. (I forgot camera to take a picture) But imagine a full grown man squeezed into a seat meant for a 5yr old....with his arms resting above his shoulders on top of the girls car seats.

On the way home Ellia was playing with a foam letter "S" she found in the car. Cause you mom's know how you find odd things in the car. She tore it in half and was playing with it. We pull into the driveway and unload. As we are unloading Ellia starts crying about her nose. I think "Ohh her nose & fingers are cold" I tell her it'll be better once we get into the house. She keeps crying and crying. Big tears. Then as we get into the house she says "get it out". I sit her on the counter and look in her nose. I don't see anything. I tell her to blow...nothing comes out. She is still crying and saying "get it out" - I ask her "did you put something in your nose?" and she says "Yes".

Grandpa goes out to the car and finds the torn in two "S" and brings it in. We notice a chunk is missing. We ask her if that is what she stuck up there, and she says "Yes".




By this time Grandma is on the phone with the nurse who says she must be seen cause she could suck it into her lungs. So Grandpa and I head to the walk in clinic while Grandma stays behind to feed Addie dinner. We arrive and find out the wait is 1.5hrs. Great!


We settle in for our wait. And let me tell you find some interesting people at the walk-in-clinic at 6:30 at night....well at least this one. Long story short, after an hour of dancing & jumping around the foam dislodged itself and fell out. Grandpa and I looked at each other, picked up our stuff and walked out. Glad to not have to wait any longer.

The culprit - finally out

Bill gets home later, sits Ellia down and tells her "We do not put things up our nose" and she says okay. He sounds like a song off of Yo, Gabba Gabba. We think it's over, even though everyone on FB says once a kid does this they become repeat offenders. I shrug it off and think "not Ellia"

WRONG!! This morning she asked to play with play dough. So I giver her some and a few minutes later she is crying and saying some of it is in her nose. I try to get her blow and blow, holding one nostril. Nothing except pink snot comes out...the play dough was red. I call G & G because of all days, Bill drove my car to work. So I have no car. By this point I am just frustrated & mad. Last night I was worried, concerned, scared etc. Which caused me to have contractions. But today I am just done, done with the whole mess. And flabbergasted that she would do this 2x in 24hrs.

G & G arrive and Grandpa and I trek down for another 1.5hr wait. This time we are seen and they can see remnants of play dough in her nostrils but no big clumps. We leave with a RX for ear infection, cause low & behold she has one. So I guess not a wasted trip but none the less not how I wanted to spend my afternoon!! Nor I'm sure did G & G. But I am thankful they were home & available to come out.

I am hoping this is it. I am hoping that we do not have to go through this again!!

For now I'll be the mom who is keeping an eye out for discolored snot or foul smells coming from her daughters nose.

Potty Training 101 Team D style

Potty training 101 officially started last week and I am happy to report that it is going GREAT! Ellia has decided this time around (3rd attempt at this adventure) that she is willing & ready to participate. This morning we had our 2ND dry diaper after an all night sleep & today we had our 3rd dry diaper after naps!! She is on her way to mastering this I am sure of it.
For all you out there, not sure who that is, but those that read & follow (mostly my parents I'm sure) who are looking at potty training in the future here are a few things I have learned:

• Potty training tests your patience, every last nerve!
• If the child isn't ready, then it will never happen
• If younger children show interest in the process that's okay
• However, do not assume they are ready to attempt, and do NOT let them run around naked, because it only will tear that last nerve of patience to shreds!!
• Expect lots of cleanup. The mop & rug cleaner become your best friends!!!
• Younger siblings and the dog will inevitably get into the potty chair & play in the deposits
• Be okay with half attempts, which are when they get half in the potty & half on the floor.
• If you decide to go to the park on one of our finally nice days, do not think she is ready to go with panties. Because you will find your 6month pregnant self running to the bathroom with your 15month old in tow. Only to watch her lavender pants turn dark purple as the pee drains down her legs as she runs to the potty.
• And remember a shart is still a shart! - Even if it happens in the toilet or in our case her panties

Duck Calling - Teach em young

Bill got a new duck call & goose call for Christmas from his sister. Ellia loves to practice with him as you will see in this video. Watch her her hands even mimic his hand movement. I love it!!!