Happy Heinys is trying to reach 1000 followers!!

Here's the info about the giveaway:

1.  Follow them on twitter: www.twitter.com/happyheinys

2.  Tweet about the giveaway using #clothdiapers #giveaway @happyheinys

3. Blog about the giveaway and tweet about your blog entry!

Once they reach 1000 followers they will give away 6 pocket diapers!!!

Another Month of Fluff Coming Up!

"Home Grown Families" will be hosting a "Cover the Booty" Month of Fluff June 1-30.  Blogging and adding her event button gains you 8 extra entries into the first contest!


All the details are here: http://homegrownfamilies.blogspot.com/2010/05/cover-booty-cloth-diaper-event.html#comments

Wordless Wednesday: Exploration

Investigating the boy in the oven...aka...his reflection

Bubele Bums AIO OS from Posh Baby Store

I recently won a Bubele Bums AIO OS cloth diaper from Posh Baby Store! Stacy is new to the giveaway circuit and is doing weekly giveaways at http://www.poshtrendygifts.com/.  This week she is giving away a personalized wipes case and it is cute!! Check it out here: http://www.poshtrendygifts.com/2010/05/new-giveaway-for-this-week-is.html

Back to the diaper:
You can actually try and win one of these diapers right at Coupon Mommy of 3's blog: http://www.couponmommyof3.com/2010/05/aio-cloth-diaper-giveaway-2-winners.html. 

So what did I think of this diaper?

I LOVE this diaper. 

You can read about the diaper here:  http://www.poshbabystore.com/item_11609/AIO-Basic-Sage-PUL-Diaper.htm

But here's what I especially LOVE about this diaper:

1. The outer PUL layer is really soft.  It's actually quite squishy!
2. The inside of the diaper is a poly-micofleece fabric and it is incredibly soft. I feel like Collin's bum is getting spoiled! Honestly, it feels like a snuggly blanket inside the diaper.  
3. The diaper itself is really light in comparison to my other OS or AIO diapers.
4. The snaps are super easy to use! I'm a velcro girl but I found this to be really easy to adjust.
5. It is quite absorbant! I haven't tried it overnight yet, but I'm going to.  It has 2 layers of bamboo inside of it--so I'll be anxious to see how it does for a 8-10 hour stretch.  You can't add anything to it (no pocket); I'll be curious to see if it can hold up to Mr. Peebody! When I find out, I'll let you know!
6. It is a very trim fit!

A Fluff Addict's Dream

Okay, so this is a clothdiaper lover's dream!!

Stephanie at "My New Life As Mom" will be hosting a Fluffy Bottoms Cloth Diaper Event from June 1-30.  It is a month long cloth diaper event that will shed some light on cloth diapers. Readers will learn about styles, price comparison, misconceptions and GIVEAWAYS!

If you take the time to blog about this upcoming event, you earn 20 extra entries into each giveaway! And the best part is, SHE will enter in those extra ones for you!!

How awesomely fantastic is this?!?! Check it out here!

Wordless Wednesday: Adventures in Solid Foods

On the Menu:

Homemade Rice Cereal mixed with bananas and breastmilk

MoBoleez celebrates Breastfeeding and now so can I!!

I just received my MoBoleez nursing hat for Collin today! I am SO excited; I had to try it out! I absolutely love it.  The fabric is so soft and comfy; Collin didn't mind it at all.  I love the big, wide brim! It easily conceals Collin's "bottle" but in a fun, cute way! The top says "Milky Way" and around the brim it says "Yummy Mummy". 

I can't wait to use it in public!

FuzziBunz Love

So, a little whlie ago I won a FuzziBunz OS cloth diaper from My Baby Pumpkin, LLC. I love trying new diapers (especially when it's free!!).  While I am a velcro girl, I must say, I LOVE the FuzziBunz diaper.

So why the love?

1. Lots of adjustability--there are tons of snaps, which took a couple times for me to figure out. There are also elastic bands that you can adjust around the legs for a better fit.  Once I figured out the snaps and got the elastic set right, I had NO leaks.
2. The insert just shakes out! With my other diapers, I do have to reach for the insert.  With the FuzziBunz, I can hold one end and shake it right out.  Now, I thought that poop would go up the back and get on the diaper, since there wasn't a flap over the insert hole, but this was not the case! The cloth sort of gathers at the top so there is no need for a flap.
3. The soft fabric!! The inside of the diaper is super soft---very nice on Collin's bum :) 
4. The COLORS!! I got a Mac 'N Cheese diaper and it is stinkin' adorable!! If I purchase or win anymore FuzziBunz diapers, I'm going to get Watermelon! 

So even though I still LOVE my velcro diapers, I must say, my heart got a little bigger to make room for FuzziBunz! 

DIY Diaper Sprayer

My husband is the contributing writer for this piece.

How to make your own diaper sprayer:

Materials Needed:

• kitchen sprayer with hose
• EZ-Connect Adapater t-fitting 3/8" x 3/8" (also referred to as extender tee)
• 1/4 Turn Angle Valve (3/8" by 3/8")
• 3/8" x 1/8" BRS hex bushing
• 2 in. long piece of 1/4" nominal (3/8" outside diameter) soft copper tubing
• a 3/8" compression nut
• a 3/8" compression sleeve
• Teflon tape

Approximate cost:  $35.00

Directions:

1. Remove the adapter that comes on the end of the sink sprayer.  You will not use this.
2. Wrap teflon tape around the 3/8 inch side of the hex adapter bushing.
3. Thread 3/8 inch end into the 1/4 turn angle valve.
4. Tighten.
5. Wrap teflon tape around the 1/8 inch threads on the sprayer end .
6. Thread the end into the 1/8 inch side of hex adapter bushing.
7. Tighten.
8. Take the 2 inch piece of soft copper tubing and fit it into the 1/4 turn angle valve.
9. Tighten the compression nut (that's on the valve) around the copper tube.
10. Fit the compression sleeve into the 3/8 inch compression nut.
11. Slide over the 1/4 inch soft copper tubing.
12. Insert the copper tube into the perpindicular end of the tee
13. Tighten down the compression nut onto the tee.
14. Turn off the supply valve on the toilet.
15. Loosen the flexible line for the toilet from the valve (there may be some water that comes out at this   point).
16. Install the adapter tee onto the valve and tighten.
17. Install the flexible line going to the toilet to the top side of the tee.
18. Turn on the supply valve on the toilet.
19. Start spraying off that poo!

Wordless Wednesday

Genuine Surprise

Cotton Babies Contest that You should enter by May 14th

http://clothdiapers.blogspot.com/

There is a contest that I think is pretty neat! You write to your child and tell them why you are glad they were born. 

There are some awesome prizes! I love Cottonbabies! If you love all things baby, you should check out their site to shop! http://www.cottonbabies.com/

Here's what I wrote:

To our sweet and loving Collin:


We are so glad you were born. For 9 months, we wondered what you would look like, sound like, be like. We would talk to you and tell you stories. We’d try and guess who you would look like more (turns out you’re an even mix). Your dad would always encourage you to come a little early on his birthday; little did we know how well you were listening! On December 5th, you were born and made our family complete. There we were, nervous new parents, holding this little stranger that filled us with overwhelming joy and trepidation. And there you were, taking in all of your surroundings, trying to figure out who these two people were that stared at you all the time.

But 5 months later, you are a stranger no more. Your squeals and giggles fill our home. Your smiles light up a room…and our hearts. Our overwhelming joy continues to thrive while our trepidation has been replaced with excitement and anticipation! When you sleep, we can’t help but gaze at your sweet face, so full of innocence and unconditional trust. You are an angel, our angel.

There is nothing we are surer of than the fact that you are supposed to be in our lives. You make us feel complete. You are what we talk about at meals, before bed, with friends, and, well, all the time! Your dad and I joke that, before you, all we talked about was other people. But now we get to see and share in all your adventures: like finding your voice (even if it is at 4 am), learning how to roll over (you’re half way there!), walking in your walker, playing with Ducky and Freddie the Firefly. And we know the adventures have only just begun. You change every day; I’m so glad I get to be home to witness all these transformations.

Collin, we are so glad you were born. You have allowed us to experience God’s beauty and love in a whole new manner. We can’t imagine life any other way.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Big decision...but a Great One

In the last few weeks, my husband and I determined that it would work for me to stay home with our son for the next few years.  There aren't enough words to explain how excited and relieved I am that I get to stay home and raise our son.  Before I had Collin, I thought it'd be an easy decision to make; and, for the most part, it was.  There was just a little part of me (the teacher part) that wasn't sure how she was going to feel once the decision was final.  Teaching is such an innate part of who I am; so deciding to give it up felt...strange.  But then I realized that I get to teach (and learn from) the best student of all...Collin.  How exciting it is that I'm going to hear his first words, see his first steps, and be part of so many other firsts!

I'm going to miss the people I worked with; it really was like being a part of a family at the middle school.  But I know that I'll be back in 5 or 10 years; education isn't going anywhere.  I think one of the best things, though,  was how supportive my principal was.  He told me that even though they were going to miss me, I won't regret this decision. And when I recently met with him, he reassured me that I was making the right decision.  What an awesome boss, right?  My department head reiterated the fact that I would not regret this decision. It's nice to have the extra reasurrance.

So, now my job title will officially be Stay-At-Home Mom and I'll get to do all things encompassed by the title--and believe me, it's a lot! But I couldn't be happier.  How blessed I am to have a husband who loves and supports me and my dreams and who understands how important it is for me to be home with our son. 

Life truly is good.

Very frustrating article...

http://www.redbookmag.com/kids-family/advice/stop-breastfeeding

Wow, what a bad experience for her. But if you have to quit breastfeeding, there's nothing wrong with that. If you don't WANT to breastfeed--fine, that's your choice and there's nothing wrong with that.  What I do have a problem with is that it makes it sound like all breastfeeding moms are judgemental. I had a very positive experience with my breastfeeding class (that wasn't anti-formula or pressuring in ANY way), and I saw lactation consultants (for free) on every shift while I was in the hospital. They also had a hotline I could call and leave a message ANY time. So, my experience was positive and that's why I love breastfeeding--I shouldn't be made to feel bad that I encourage breastfeeding--if you have a positive experience, you want to share it. Where's the articles about breastfeeding moms who just like breastfeeding and sharing their experiences (Without judgement) with others? Very disappointing...

Furthermore, the notion that women are born to breastfeed is a half-truth.  Yes, we have the equipment, but you still have to learn how to use it! Just because someone hands you a bat and ball doesn't mean you know how to play baseball.  I think many women think there's something wrong with them if they don't know how to breastfeed and that's not the case! I would venture to guess it's the norm! 

Ugh...

Why I Love Cloth Diapering

I've been cloth diapering for 5 months now; anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE cloth diapering.  Some might not know why, though.  I still get those occasional "are you crazy?" comments.  But I think if everyone knew how truly EASY it is to cloth diaper, they wouldn't think I was so nuts.  So, here are a few reasons why I love cloth diapering and wish everyone would try it:

1.  It's cheaper than buying disposable diapers and wipes.  We've probably spent around 500 dollars on all of our cloth diapering products.  If we were buying disposables, we would easily spend 500 dollars in the first year!! And that's only on one child.  We plan on having more children and with cloth diapers we won't have to buy a new stash for the next one. 

2.  It's healthier for my baby's bottom.  The only thing touching his butt is cloth! There are no chemicals or anything else that might be in disposables.

3.  I don't ever have to run to the store or send my husband to the store to get more diapers.  If I'm running low, I throw them in the washer.  It's that easy.

4.  Washing them is easier than most would think.  It requires very little detergent and the detergent needs to be the cheapest you can find (since it has the least amount of additives).  Also, with my stash of approx. 24 diapers, I only have to do one extra load of laundry twice a week.  And it's the best kind of laundry because there's no folding aftewards--just stuffing the inserts!

5.  They are so adorable! I love all the colors that bumGenius has to offer.  And really, it's not just bumGenius.  Several cloth diaper makers have lots of color and print options.

6.  They go on just like disposables (depending on the brand you use).  I prefer the velcro type cloth diapers, but there are snaps and of course, covers and prefolds.  But there are NO pins and NO plastic pants. 

7.  It's better for the environment.  I'm not sending hundred of diapers to the dump every month. 

8. They also aren't sitting in a trashcan in my house for a week until trash pick up *yuck!*

9.  There's no more of an 'ick' factor than if you were using disposables.  Poop isn't less icky in a disposable.  And if the thought of pulling out an insert grosses you out, you can buy All-in-ones and not ever have to touch or even see the poo before you put it in the washer!

10.  If I'm traveling out and about, I can just wad the diaper up and stuff it in a ziplock.  It contains the mess and smell!

I'm sure the longer I cloth diaper, the more reasons I'll have to love it.  So, for now, I encourage you to check out today's cloth diapering:

http://http://www.cottonbabies.com/

http://clothdiapers.blogspot.com

http://http://www.29diapers.com/

ERGObaby Carrier Giveaway

Cars, Trucks, and Teething Rings is hosting a giveaway to win an ERGObaby carrier:  http://carstrucksandteethingrings.blogspot.com/2010/04/ergobaby-review-and-giveaway.html

Check it out!  The winner will get an organic ERGObaby carrier!

I won! I won!

I entered a contest to try and win a free cloth diaper and I won! It was a FuzziBunz OS diaper from My Baby Pumpkin, LLC.  I chose the diaper in the color Mac 'N Cheese:

I can't wait to try it out!

Family Moments...

A few weekends ago we got together for mom's 50th birthday! We spent a beautiful day at a state park.  We had a cookout, went on a hike. and chatted for awhile.  It was so nice to spend time with my family.  Here's a few pics from our outing: