Leaps and Bounds

Well, there is nothing like seeing your child progressing to make you feel like you're on the right track.

It seems like all 4 of my kiddos are making huge strides lately.

And it makes me feel good, like I'm doing something right.

Let's start small. My 4 month old DS can now grab a toy (or binki or blanket or my shirt) and get it in his mouth. And he laughs about it! Nothing brings a mommy more joy than a baby who can entertain himself and really love it. And he doesn't have one of those cute baby laughs. He sounds like a broken velociraptor from Jurassic Park. It's a little hard to ignore him having a good time.

My 2 year old DS is putting away the dishes in the dishwasher. All the ones he can reach. He is so helpful. He really is. This child knows where everything goes! He will even move things around that someone else put away wrong. Amazing, since in 6 years I will have to threaten his to do anything I want him to.

My 5 year old DD has finally mastered her numbers. She has been struggling the last 6 months to recognize numbers after 10. I mean really struggling. Flashcards, worksheets, manipulative's, everything. And nothing helped. She was so aware that she didn't have them down. And it bothered her. Then, one day, it just clicked. She is so proud of herself, and I am so proud of her.

And I'm sooooo proud of them all.

But, there's always a but. I have a brings-tears-to-your-eyes proud moment of my son that I just have to share.

My 3 year old DS is a nonverbal, high-sensory, autistic child. There have been a few moments where it was discussed that he would never talk. That he would never grasp the concept of language. But he showed us he "got it" this week.

His place mat at the table has the alphabet on it. He pointed right at E and said "E." Clear as day. He looked at me, pointed at it, and said it again, "E." I showed him O, and he said that one too. He can also say the letter I. Not only is he saying it, he is recognizing letters.

And it wasn't a fluke. He did it again later for daddy. He is learning his letters! He is getting the speech concept and formulating it in his brain. He is making a connection too.

....sorry, wiped a tear just reliving the moment.

When your child makes huge strides, it's hard to not get emotional.

I am soooo proud of all my kids. I am proud they grow and learn each day. And I treasure all these moments because I know that they build upon more. And each accomplishment they make today, will help them be a better, smarter, more complete person tomorrow.

And I cherish each moment because I love them. It's what a mommy is supposed to do.

Fluffy little heinys

So we cloth diaper 3 boys full time. And I really, really love it.

Yeah, I'm a little crazy.

Most people I know think I'm nuts for doing it. Lot's of people think it's really gross. Some people think it's archaic for these times. A few people applaud my tenacity for doing it.

But let me tell you why we cloth diaper.

I have 3 boys in cloth diapers. Do the math. My 2 and 3 year old go thru about 5-6 diapers each per day. We'll say 11. That's 77 diapers in a week. My 3 month old goes thru almost 10 by himself per day. So another 70. That's 147 diapers a week. And I will round up just to make it easy. 150 per week. The average diaper costs $0.24 each.

We are talking almost $142 in stuff for baby butts a month. Insane!!!!!

Do you know how much money I have spent on my children's butts since my oldest?!?!?! Enough for a down payment on a new beemer.


Before my littlest was born, I looked into cloth. After a friend of mine found some reasonable priced cloth, I decided my budget and the earth deserved it.
So my upfront costs were pretty high considering the cost of an individual disposable diaper. But, we were given a gift of 20 diapers for the baby. I bought another 20, plus another 16 as seconds. The beginnings of a good stash.

Yes, it takes a few seconds longer to change a cloth diaper. Yes, it has moments of "gross-ness." Yes, I have to do more laundry.

But, the money saving factor (not to mention the "green" factor) is enough to keep me going.

Additionally, our diaper rash factor has gone WAY down. My oldest has food allergies and pretty sensitive skin. Since we began cloth, he hardly ever has issues. It's nice that I don't have to worry about changing him very hour with a rashy bottom. I don't have to buy hardly ANY diaper creams. (Before cloth, BC, I was going thru a $6 tube almost every other week!) And I also don't clip coupons or run around to a different store for sales.

As for the eco-friendliness of it. Its either trees or water. Using cloth saves millions of trees. Since I wash myself, the diaper service factor isn't there for mass water usage. And I also line dry my dipes, so less energy used there too. I use biodegradable soap (with all my laundry actually) so that's pretty earth friendly also. Plus, I'm significantly reducing our garbage waste.

In the long term, once the boys are all potty trained, I can up-cycle these dipes to any number of people. I will not make my money back, but I am reducing the initial cost and adding to the "green" factor for cloth in general. (Try doing that with a box of disposables!!!!!)
This will be the part where most non-cding people will stop reading. I will now go into intense cloth diaper detail. (The result of a fluff addicted mama!)

I love putting fluffy diapers on my boys. I love the cute prints, the bright colors, and not to mention my skinny little string beans can actually keep their pants up.

My favorite brand? I don't really have one. I like different brands for different reasons.

I love bumGenius, not just for their fit but their wear and longevity. Not great for my 3 year old, but love, love, love them on the babe. He has been wearing them since 4 weeks old, with minimal leakage. I actually bought almost all my BG's as seconds or gently used. And they are holding up and wearing well. What more can you ask for?!?

I love my Blueberrys for their fit and their style. Gorgeous prints! A bit trimmer than some and fit all 3 boys well. (I just wish they  weren't so darn expensive!) They have AMAZING aplix closures, those suckers aren't coming un-done for any kid!

For toddler sized diapers (for my special needs 3 y.o.) there are Kawaiis, the only diaper that fit him well. Totally inexpensive, very inexpensive, and crazy cheap. They are doing all right for the price. On a whim, I traded for some sized Fuzzi Bunz, and the larges fit him well too! The Happy Heinys (in large) are my go-to night diaper for my 3 year old as well. (Which I got as seconds on one of the mama bargain sites!)

We typically only use a pocket diaper, with a microfiber insert. This seems to be the best combo for both washing and for absorbency. We also prefer (well, the sitters and the DH) the aplix style closures. I guess the seem more "disposable" like. I take very good care of them, so they are all holding up very well.

There are literally hundreds of options out there for fit and style. There are millions of brands. And I am mo expert, but I have come a LOOOOOONG way from disposables.

I have Swaddlebees and Blueberrys. I have Thirsties duo diapers. I have prefolds and covers, lots of covers! I have Econobums, Flips, and BumGenius in 3.0 and 4.0. I have Fuzzi Bunz. I have Rumparooz. I have Kawaiis. I have Smartipants.

I may have a problem.

I think, for me, cloth diapering is a hobby. I really enjoy it. I don't mind the washing. In some ways it's a little therapeutic. I love seeing my covers line drying in my laundry room. I like folding and stuffing them. I love that my boys enjoy picking out their favorite diaper. I love knowing its healthier for them and the earth. What's not to love?
Since we started cd-ing, I have been inspired to make some other greener changes too. We have switched to cloth wipes. There are "reusable paper" towels for the bathroom. We use eco shopping bags as often as we can. We use snot rags and hankies for noses. Soon (and by that as soon as I can get them made) we will use reusable sandwich/snack bags. My wool dryers balls are on the drawing board instead of dryer sheets (as soon as I can figure out how to make them!) It's feels pretty good to make less waste. And as a family of 6, we make a LOT of waste.

In the long run, it may not do much good. I know that we aren't as "green" as we could be. But we try, we make the effort. At least for the time being, we have reduced our carbon footprint as much as I can handle.

Plus my boys look ADORABLE in their cloth diapers.