Cloth diapers

So Chase and I have been trying this cloth diapering thing. So far it's not bad. Breast-fed baby poop doesn't really stink all that much, and it comes off in the wash without any trouble.  After doing a little bit of research we ordered a couple different types of cloth diapers to try out. We ordered some pocket diapers and some diaper covers to get started.

 We ordered six LBB pocket diapers with microfiber inserts from Amazon. So far they work well for our 12 pound, 1 month old baby. We only have had a couple times where poop blew out the sides.  When changing the diaper I remove the insert from the diaper, and throw them in a wet bag. When I'm ready to wash them, I just throw it all into the wash. I run a prewash cycle on cold. Then I wash them with Tide original powder and hot water.  I hang dry the covers and machine dry the inserts.  I've washed them probably six times now and they have held up very well. These are Chase's favorite because they're the easiest to use.  The downside to the pocket diapers is the fact that these have to be washed after every time baby soils the diaper.  Therefore you need a bunch of them!  We also have 2 Bum Genius 4.0 pocket diapers, and they are very nice.  With a total of 9 pocket diapers, we use all of them in 1 day.

We chose to use Thirsties Duo Wrap Snap Covers Size 1 with Osocozy prefolds Size 1 and a Snappi.  These were a little bit more challenging to get the hang of. You have to use a prefold diaper then cover it with the diaper cover.   I use a jelly roll fold on the prefold.  Basically...I place baby on unfolded prefold, roll the leg ends toward the center, bring the rolls up to the front, roll the extra down, and attach a Snappi.    Then you snap on the cover and tuck prefold into the cover.   I actually quite like the system because you can reuse the covers until they get poop on them. This seems like the cheapest route to go. You only need a couple covers to make the system work, and prefolds are relatively inexpensive.  

Since the pocket style diapers will be easiest for day care, I decided to go ahead and order some more.  Based on recommendations from friends, I ordered 12 Sunbaby size 2 diapers.  We  chose the combination inserts.  I'll let you know what we think.  They should arrive in 2 weeks or so.

So far we've spent $200 on cloth diapering (6 pockets, 4 covers, and 24 prefolds, 1 packet snappis) and that would be sufficient if I did laundry every day.   Since I hate doing laundry, I ordered 12 more pocket style diapers for $70.  SO for $270 I will have plenty of diapers for my baby.  The diaper wraps will fit her until about 18 pounds, but the pocket diapers are all 1 size.  I plan on saving all of my diapering supplies for the next baby.  

Mary goes through about 8 diapers a day.   Let's say that decreases as she gets older.   6 a day X 365 =  2,190.  Most diapers I've looked at are around $0.20 per diaper. That's $440ish for the first year.  I plan on using these for the next baby so it seems clear that we'll save some money-even if I take into account washing/drying. Plus we'll not contribute as much to land fills ;)

I hope this post helps somebody.  Starting up with cloth diapers can be daunting, but I think it's worth it in the long run.

Peace and love, y'all

What did we need for MM?

When I was making registries and purchasing items I thought we would need for MM, I was clueless.  What do you really need for a baby?   It seems like I ended up with more gadgets than I really need so I wanted to share what I think is useful...and what is fluff!

But first...Happy Valentine's Day from all of us!!!

 

MM is 6.5 weeks old! Where did all that time go?

 And yes.... I made Chase wear a matching red shirt for this family photo.  I originally had a different shirt on too, but a las...it got covered in spit-up before the photo!

Useful baby tools....

 So here it is: what we use more than anything else.  For the majority of the day, we are in the family room.  We have a pack-n-play with changer/napper that we use most of the time.  The little thing she's resting in flips over to become a changer.   Since she's not really mobile yet, we use the rest for diaper and clothes storage.  I keep her mostly commonly used clothing (a couple of onsies, 2-3 pajamas, pants, and blankets) in the pack-n-play for easy access.  Since we use this as a changing table, her diapers are stored here as well.   So if we didn't have help from family on purchasing this stuff or were limited on space?  All we really needed would have been...

• diapers and wipes
• a few changes of clothes
• pack-n-play
• car seat
• carrier (we have an Ergo)
• rocking chair - we could make do without it, but it's so nice to have a comfy chair.
• Burp rags - put them in every room! 

Stuff we might use, but really didn't need at this point.

• crib  - probably useful later
• bassinet - we use it a little each night.   I use it mostly as a safe place to put her while I'm getting ready in the morning.  We have one with lights, music, and mobile...and it vibrates.  All those little bells and whistles usually keep her distracted for the 10 minutes it takes me to get ready in the morning.  We always put her in it with a wearable blanket, on her back when we try to go to sleep...but then she ends up bed-sharing with us by morning.  
• Swing - we get her to chill in the swing about once per day for about an hour.  Is it worth an hour break?  Sure is!
• bottles - I suppose I should introduce her to the bottle at some point before I go back to work... So far I haven't used them.
• Pacifiers - she won't really take a pacifier. 
• Changing table - we don't own one, and I don't think we need one.   
• A bazillion onesies - we have way too many baby clothes! 
• Receiving blankets - why do they make these so small?  They are pretty much useless once your baby grows a little.  The cotton swaddling blankets are much more useful.
• Nursery - maybe useful when she's older.  For now, she sleeps in our room and spends the rest of the time in the family room or wherever we are.
• Dreft - We started out using dreft, but MM doesn't really have sensitive skin.  I use Tide Original Powder for her diapers and that works really well.  I might continue to use dreft for her clothes...but that's because I just love the smell.
• Burp cloths - Not really needed for a breastfed newborn
• Diaper pail - We have a fancy-smancy diaper pail in the nursery, but it's not really necessary for newborn diapers.   Breastfed baby poop isn't that stinky...so just take the trash out regularly and nothing fancy is needed.  For the cloth diapers, we use a wet bag that hangs next to the pack-n-play.
• high chair -Not needed for a newborn.
• baby shoes - cute, but she doesn't walk yet

Peace and Love, y'all!  I hope someone finds this helpful :)

New Blog Title, Life With a New Baby, and Fostering

Can you believe I've been a mommy for 5 weeks now?  My little MM is growing way too fast!   I'm so blessed I get 3 months of leave to spend with her.    I've been scrapbooking up a storm (in between rocking a baby and nursing).    It looks like this year my Project Life weekly layouts will be double pages!  I can't seem to limit pictures to just one page.   Full credits to these pages are in my Facebook gallery

 

  I have to mention this is a kit by Jen Wright Designs called Sweet Baby Girl.  She made it for me to document our new little one's early days.  I love it!  Thank you, Jen.  The next 2 layouts are also with Sweet Baby Girl.

 

 

 

2015!!

 

This one is all about taking MM home.  What a way to start 2015, right?!

 

Our first couple days at home!  I look so exhausted!

 

Week 2!  BELLY BUTTON TIME!  We're still learning to be parents. 

 

The second page for week 2.  My mother watched MM while Chase and I went on a date.  He almost had to wrestle the cell phone out of my hands I was so nervous leaving MM at home!

Week 3!  Look how big she's getting!  This week it was really clear that she adores her daddy!

iphones probably weren't created for photo-obsessed, new moms...but I love mine for documenting how fast MM is growing!  Look at that little face!  I just can't take enough pictures!


 In other news, we recently had an update on one of our former foster children.   Let's just say we have a huge decision to make, and we could use your prayers for wisdom...and a job for Chase!  We're not sure what the future holds...or what we are called to do.  My heart goes out to this little one, and I pray God will clarify what our role in his life should be.   Actually...we need prayers to figure out in what capacity we are called to help the foster children.  Are we ready to become full time fosters?  Am I ready to start doing weekend respite again?  I sure do miss them all...Lego Luke & Lando, the 3 Little Bears, Princess Peach, and Scooby & Shaggy.  I hold all of them so dear in my heart.  How does it all fit together?

Peace and Love, y'all!

PS  did you notice I changed the title of our blog?  We are a family of 3 now!

Waiting for our baby....

Last weekend, Chase and I went down to Arkansas to party with friends and family.  We decided to wait to find out if our baby is a he or a she until this party.  It was so hard not peeking, but I can say that neither one of us knew ahead of time!   

My cousin, Amy, was our secret keeper.  She ordered the cake and had it iced so that we couldn't tell until we cut into it.  :)  

It's a.....

GIRL!!!

 

 

We are delighted to announce that we are having a little girl!!  We couldn't be happier! 

In these photos, I'm at 21 weeks.

 

This week I started my 22nd week of pregnancy.  I can't believe I'm over half way through our pregnancy!  I'm just happy and so grateful that our little M&M is healthy! 

 

 

 

What's new this week?  Well not too much!  She's getting bigger and stronger, and all organ systems are completed.  She's been kicking since week 18, but her wiggling is definitely getting more frequent.  You can see her moving if you stare it my belly long enough.   It's like having an alien inside your stomach...  Speaking of my belly, our baby isn't the only one getting bigger....my belly is getting HUGE!  I know it's only going to get bigger, but it just seems so big now.   Some days I just feel really fat, but on other days...I feel more beautiful than ever.  My body has changed so much to prepare for our little M&M.   I'm just glad I can pretty much eat what I want now as the morning sickness has mostly passed.   I've only had 1 bout of it over the last 4 weeks (while I was on a house call...of course).  

Next week is Chase's thesis defense.  Say a prayer for him on Thursday that he'll pass...and know what to do after!  He has a job offer, but we just aren't sure about it.  We could use God's wisdom.  

Peace and Love, y'all!

Visit to my folks - WOYWW

Happy What's on Your Workspace Wednesday!   I'm posting really late because I've been traveling.   I spent the entire morning at a local art supply store trying out new stuff and visiting with family :)  Since I'm traveling, I'll have to do some blog hopping later this week :)

In a spur of the moment decision, I decided Monday to visit my family in Arkansas over the holiday.  

I wanted to see the new baby in the family, visit my folks, and more of my family at Art Outfitters. 


Art Outfitters has a  station where you can play with a Gelli plate for making prints.  We had such a fun time a bought a 8x10 one :)

The Gelli Station

 

Will and my mom practicing

All of my family at Art Outfitters :)

My mom and I are loving on the newest member of our family.    My cousins are so proud of this sweet little bundle of joy, and they are wonderful new parents.   Who knows...maybe in the next 2 years, Chase and I will decide to have our own.   All in God's timing :)


Peace and Love, y'all!