Week of July 12! - Page 5

[Lucysmama]

Amie-

Ok, I LOOOOVE to talk diapers, so I will jump right in! We are doing mainly fitteds with covers. I think we have 15 or so fitteds now. We also have about 8 newborn AIOs and a dozen infant prefolds. But the prefolds are just back up. I personally just suck at folding and snappi-ing prefolds, so I don't like to use them. I prefer fitteds, because they are so easy, and I hear they work AWESOME for containing breastmilk poopy explosions. I have a bunch of Bizzy B Hive fitteds, some Nanipoos, some Tootsweet, some Kissaluvs and a few random others bought from the Trading Post. For covers, I have a few Proraps I found at a consignment store....and I figure I need about 4 more covers. Dh wants to use ONLY wool on the new baby, because he thinks it is so much healthier.....but he doesn't realize how expensive and sometimes difficult-to-find good newborn wool covers are. I think we will do about half wool covers and half PUL covers/AIOs.

Oh, BTW a few mamas who just had babies said in the Diapering forum that they use between 20-25 changes/day in the first few weeks. I really wanna only wash every 36 hours at most, so that is why we are buying so much.

And, I am uploading my newborn diaper stash into an online album, so when it is done, I will post the link if you wanna take a look!

[bluehalo]

re: cloth dipes...

I'm trying to avoid the cloth diaper forum b/c it makes me itch to spend money So I'm happy to talk diapers somewhere that I don't have to struggle w/ my willpower :LOL ...

We're using a combination of fitted and prefolds w/ covers and FuzziBunz. I have some very sweet newborn fitteds that I can't resist not using, but after this baby grows out of those, I'll probably phase out the fitteds and just do prefolds w/ covers (mostly wool, and I'm learning to knit my own soakers ) and FuzziBunz. I get overwhelmed with too much variety, so it helps to keep things simple, both for me and for DH when he tries to help w/ diaper changes and/or laundry.

I'm so excited to have another tiny bum to cloth diaper!!

[OakEmber]

Ok, so now I have a prefold question...I have pretty much decided that I want to have a dozen on hand partly for back-up. I have come across them on so many different sites and I am not sure if there is really a difference between Chinese prefolds and ones that are just called prefolds...does it really matter.

And I am finding this to quickly become an addiction, before even using them :LOL With Ember I had one Mother-ease diaper w/cover that I used on occasion but that hardly counts... I found a site with fuzzi bunz for by 2 get one free, so I am tempted (they are really expensive here in Canada, like $21 a piece)...too bad Dh is not working right now.

[3bees~1flower]

on dipes......i make all my cloth...i made 10 pocket fitteds to use with wool/pro-care covers....and then decided i wanted to be able to SEE the cute fabric i have picked out, so the rest of the baby stash will be AIO pockets...i use fleece for the binding...they look soooo comfy!!

can i get you gals' opinion on a name...i know we've done the name thing already, but i didn't get any comments on my name choices then...

BOY: Micah Lane (all the boys have the same middle name, which is daddy's middle name) OR, and this one i have just started mulling about, Tait Daniel. Tait seems to be growing on me, but it doesn't go with Lane, so i picked my dad's name to go with it...do you think he would feel left out if he didn't get daddy's middle name too or do you think it would be special for him to have g-pa's name?

GIRL: Makenna Grace has been our girl's name since baby #1. i had come across the name Trinity awhile ago, but dh just never seemed to like it, it would be Trinity Grace if he did like it.

thanks for the input!!

[OakEmber]

Darn, wasn't FuzziBunz....that deal is on Wonderoos, anyone tried them??

3boyz- Hmm, I think that I like Micah Lane best for a boy...I have always liked Tait too though, but I do think that if the other boys have Lane for a MN I'd continue that....Or you could use Tait Micah Lane or Tait Daniel Lane.

As for a girl, Trinity is Ember's MN so of course that gets my vote Sorry, looks like you weren't really asking for an opinion on that one as your Dh doesn't like it. Maknna is a nice name too, would your Dh go for Makenna
Trinity?

[Lucysmama]

3boyz4us-

Dh and I considered 'Tate' for our baby....for about 10 seconds. We then realized we would be Nate, Kate and Tate. :LOL Uh...no. I do really like the name, though!!!

Makenna is really pretty. Mak-names are really popular here. There are a LOT of Makennas, Mackenzies, and Makaylas. I don't know if that is important to you or not to consider.

[stanleymama]

Just checking in and hoping you all are having a nice weekend. I took Collin and Aidan to a park nearby today and they had a blast!! Good excercise for me too!

On the whole circ thing, We are a circ family and it wasn't until recently that I even heard that some people don't circ. It is just so common here. All 3 boys did really well too through it and healed very quickly. They didn't even need meds the whole day. Just me nursing brought them comfort and they never fussed when I changed their dipes. Now we don't vax, and we cloth diaper so that makes us the oddballs. Anyways it just all comes down to personal convictions.

I had a really odd dream the other night. I dreamt I was getting ready to bring our new little guy home and across the room he was being held by a friend of mine. When she brought him to me he was the size of another friends baby who is 5 mos. old--being 25 lbs. I fell over just trying to hold him. I woke up and start praying, "Please dear God don't let him be that big!"
I have average size babies so it really freaked me out!

[momadance]

ON diapers: I have close to 50 premium size CPF's. I bought some on Ebay in great condition for less then a buck a dipe. I also try to hit the local thrift store on half off mondays for covers and such. I've found nb motherease fitted, nappi's and a couple aio's there. I think we may eventually get a few AIO's, but starting out, I think CPF's are it for us. I don't buy nb stuff, 'cause with the pf's you can just fold 'em to fit. A big motivating factor for us with cd though is the money you save! And if you start getting into all AIO's and fancy schmancy stuff, your not really saving money! Especially if this is your last babe. (this is our rational for ourselves) I have some cute stuff Miles wore too.

Katie: I've made a couple nb wool covers from 1/2 off thrift store sweaters. I bought 1 sweater for 1.00 and made 2 covers from it! And it was super easy (i'm all thumbs, well one thumb now, I think I'm gonna lose the nail LOL)

[momadance]

Oh on the name's! I know 2 Trinity's, one of which I believe is a Trinity Grace. (grace is a super popular middle name here in Atlanta)

I like Daniel. What about Daniel Lane? Not crazy about Tate.
I vote for Micah Lane.

DItto on the lots of Mac names! This area is swarming with them.

[momadance]

Oh! ANd I also forgot to say you mama's have a great week next week. I won't be checking in. We're driving to Ontario tomorow, and won't be home until next Sunday or Monday! We're hitting my mom's cottage again on Lake Huron. Hopefully it's warm now! The drive is gonna take us 15 hours
Miles is used to it though, and we're leaving around 4 am. Last time Miles and I did the drive just the 2 of us, we left at 6 am, he slept until 7:30 and stayed awake the entire rest of the drive. Good thing he doesn't mind it too much...

[Piglet68]

I forgot to mention (brag) to you all....when I took DD to the water park on Friday, she went in the pool with me for the FIRST TIME!!! Up until now, she likes me to stand in the pool (shallow end, only 3 feet deep) and she sits on the side and splashes a bit. But every time I ask her to come in, she says no. But that day, she jus suddenly lifted her arms to be picked up, and we went around and around the shallow end and she had a ball! It was so much fun!

Diapers: oh my! well, I'm with Katie - I suck at prefolds and only have a dozen preemies as a backup. Otherwise I've gone all fitteds and covers. I currently have about 30 diapers, 10 covers (but 4 of them are likely not going to fit for a while), a wool soaker, a wool-in-one, 2 PUL AIO's...um....I think that's right. My fave diapers right now are the Loveybums. So soft and pretty! I occasionally take out my stash and play with them, lol. My mother helped out alot with the cost as a baby gift. But I know I can sell them when I'm done and get alot of money back. I have a small stash of smalls, but then we started CDing Emily when she was in mediums, and we have a huge stash of Motherease One-Size (which are our staple around here with DD), so I really don't need many more diapers. Just a few more smalls should do it. The newborn and small stashes together, I've spent about $600. Probably will be closer to seven or eight hundred by the time I'm done. But still cheaper than sposies (especially considering all of DD's diapers that we'll be using) and WAY more fun!!!

3boyz: I love the name Micah (it was on our short list). Not crazy about Tait. For girls, I like both Trinity and Grace but...are you Christian? Because if you are not, together they make a very Christian name, lol. I'm not crazy about Makenna, never got into that "mac" trend. But then my DD's name is number 1 on the commonality list, so take that with grain of salt, lol!

momadance: have a great trip!!

[OakEmber]

Stanleymama I am sure he won't be THAT big, I can see why that'd shake you up though. Sounds like you had fun with your boys at the park. You are right about it coming down to personal convictions...we don't vax either and I am sure that there are people on this thread that do, I am just so glad that we are so accepting of eachother, if only we had that IRL

Momadance- Hope you have a safe and happy trip! I don't envy your 15hr drive but I am sure that it is all worth it!

Piglet...WTG Emily Sounds like you had a blast!

I don't think I will be using wool covers, I am allergic to wool as are my mom and sister...because of that I don't think it would be a good choice for my baby. I guess I thought that wool allergies where more common, never seems to come up though when talking about diapes.

Ok, since I have decided what my next diaper purchase will be I've moved on to slings :LOL I didn't use one with Ember, I just carried her in my arms all the time and used a snuggli type carrier for going out and occasionally to vacuum, etc. but it killed my shoulders. But this time I guess I won't have the luxury of not using my arms for other things :LOL. I think I might end of getting a New Native as I have always liked how they look and have read mostly good things....but I found a neat one that I like but might not be as practical...if you have time check out this link and tell me what you think...I like the idea of not having a bulky sling, and having something lightweight...plus money is an issue and this is one of the cheapest I've seen.http://www.milkfacenursingwear.com/d...ODUCT_ID=01060
Actually here's another I've found that is in my price range maybe someone can give me an expert opinion. This one would cost me approximately 1/2 of the new native carrier, do you think it would be just as good? http://www.starslings.com Thanks in advance to anyone who has time to check these out for me. Just checked out the link I gave...it's the Little Star sling...I thought it'd be a direct link.

[mirthfulmum]

30w

10 more weeks to go! (I need an exctited yet nervous smiley)

Had a fabulous day yesterday. We went to the Flok Festival and spent the day playing, listening to music, dancing, eating fresh corn on the cob... it was wonderful. Alias had such a fantastic time that even though he didn't have a nap all day he was perfectly happy and cheerful the whole 11 hours we were there. And it is so great to be around other "crunchy" moms. It is a true plaesure to be able to watch your child play (they have a great children's section set up with sand boxes, and bubble tubs and wading pools) and never hear an unkind word spoken to a child by their parents. And all the children played so beautifully together. There was no pushing or shoving. Not once did my son have a toy he was playing with get taken out of his hands by a bigger child and only once did I hear a child complaining about having to take turns. Being part of a group of AP parenting in action is a spectacular experience.

And now today we will rest from our big day in the sun and probably just hang around the house. And I should get laundry done.

3boyz4us - I really like Micah Lane. To me, it has more presence than Tait, and I like that you're giving all your boys the same middle name. I think it's a really sweet family tradition. For the girl's, I hate to add to the trouble, but I also prefer Trinity. Makenna is really pretty, but like the other's have said, it's super popular.

momadance - Have a great trip and a fabulous time at the lake. It sounds like a wonderful vacation.

[mirthfulmum]

Oops forgot to add a for Piglet's Emily.

And Amie, we posted at about the same time. I haven't had a chance to look at your sling choices but one thing to keep in mind, and what I learned form my sling use with Alias, is that a comfortable and supportive shoulder strap is essential. It become very uncomfortable, even painful, if you have one that dosen't support distribute the weight well.

[OakEmber]

Mirhtfulmum :, OMG only 10 weeks to go! I am so jealous of you about the Flok Festive...sounds like it was absolutely dreamy! Those links I posted just now are both Canadian sites I just stumbled across the last few nights that I'd never crossed before, so they might interst you...I think my nesting urge is kicking in as a shopping urge

:LOL we did it again Mirth!

[krnflwr]

27 wks? I forget

Originally Posted by OakEmber

Ok....I've moved on to slings :LOL .

I've been lurking all week, but haven't had much time to post. So Hello Everyone!
OakEmber, some great sites for gaining info and knowledge on slings and babywearing in general are:
http://www.kangarookorner.com/index.shtml
http://www.peppermint.com/
http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sling.html#types

There is also a Yahoo group all about babywearing, and one specifically for swapping/trading/buying slings. I can send you the links, if you like.
I personally love my Maya Wrap, and find that I use that more than all my other 7 (ugh!) slings/wraps combined. But having a padded rail is nice w/ a newborn (which the Maya doesn't have). You might poke around at your local resale shops/Goodwill stores, etc...and see if you can find a sling for cheap. In my experience, once you get into babywearing (like cloth diapering), you tend to want to try new and different stuff, and find your needs changing as your babe grows. I could talk about this all day, so if you want any more help or advice, feel free to PM me.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I've offically joined the UTI club....fun, fun, fun!
:
Been sleeping poorly, can't seem to get comfy and am plagued by very intense, disturbing dreams....and a hot, sweaty toddler rolling into me. If I don't get my afternoon nap, I am just a grouchy bear. Everyone keeps talking about being weepy emotional, I feel like I've been grouchy and irritable more this preg than weepy. Hope that *doesn't* say anything about the personality of Baby Cookie. It's been so hard trying to maintain some semblance of patience and sanity with Hannah lately. And with DH...I shouldn't even get started there, or I'll never stop.
There's been so much going on in the thread this week that I wanted to comment on, and now I can't even remember it all. Forgetful pregnant mama! But at least I wanted to say that I've been enjoying very much the great discussions on all the different "hot button" topics and how well we all respect eachother and all the viewpoints. I, too, have been loving getting to know you all....even when I'm quiet about it. Happy Big Belly Vibes to you all!

[3bees~1flower]

thanks for all the input...i appreciate it!! yes piglet, we are Christian, so Trinity Grace would suit us that way,*if* dh liked Trinity, as far as "mac/k" names being popular...they really aren't around our small, podunk area...it may take some convincing with dh to change to something else, but *i* would like to try something different than Makenna.

on slings....i'm hoping to make a pouch for us to use.

krnflr...i've not been sleeping all that great either, it seems...my problem, tho, is the carpal tunnel i have in both hands...i can't seem to find a way to lay them so they don't go numb...quite frustrating.

mirthful....10 WEEKS!! that's not fair...how is it i am only 26 and you are 30 wks...what is your edd? mine is 10-24, but will deliver a week early. i'm so jealous of you for having "crunchy" moms to hang out with....the only ones i have that are somewhat crunchy are my sil and my sister who doesn't even have kids yet, but is very supportive of my increasing crunchy ways and is some ways she is proly *more* crunchy than me. i;m not *super* crunchy, but way more so then what the norm is here, ya know?

mamadance...have a good trip...hope the looong drive goes ok.

Lucysmama....:LOL at the rhyming (sp) family names...i agree, that would've sounded a little weird.

[stanleymama]

3boyz4us--I feel like I have so much in common with you. I am Christian too and have 3 boys. I am due one day before you but hope to go a week early as it will be dhs' birthday. On the name I vote for Micah Lane as well---the two sound really nice together.

As for dipes I have acquired a few Kissaluvs for this babe. I used Fuzzi Bunz on Samuel--still do. But I sell them, so of course I would use them. I am all about saving money and I think that is probably the main reason we switched to cloth, besides the health issue. Except for the Kissaluvs, this baby is being diapered for free--can't beat that!

[AnnR33]

I haven't had time to catch up on posts this weekend so "Hi" to everyone! We had a family reunion this weekend and it was great fun. Lots of hugs and conversation and we had carnival games for the kids which went over great-even the adults got into the bean bag toss! LOL

OakEmber-both those slings look good to me-the mesh one is really pretty and would have lots of give-what material is made up-I couldn't tell. The other looks pretty basic which is all you need for the newborn stage-the New NAtive may have a wider shoulder though which is very important-I couldn't tell how wide this one was from the picture.
Another really good site is www.thebabywearer.com - has tons of info, reviews, forums, etc
www.hotslings.com are pretty inexpensive too-I have 3 of them I have to admit...2 cotton stretch and one fleece. I also have a Kozy on the way and a homemade unpadded ring sling so hoping something fits my babe just right!

Take care,
Ann

[bluehalo]

Looking forward to checking out all these sling sites. I've had my heart set on a new Kangaroo Korner fleece pouch, and maybe one of their new non-fleece pouches too. A friend is lending me a big one for DH to use, but I want a small one for myself too

Re: prefolds ... usually if they're "Chinese" or "Diaper Service Quality / DSQ" ... or more recenly even "Indian" ... that indicates higher quality than plain ole prefolds. They're likely to be more hard wearing, softer, and more absorbant. Definately steer clear of department store prefolds, some of them even have poly in the soakers, which are pretty useless at soaking up anything...

3boyz4us: of the choices you mention, I really like Micah Lane and Trinity Grace Hope your DH comes around...

Piglet: I have a reluctant water baby too ... he's really skittish about being in anything deeper than a "baby pool" ... in a big pool he'll sit and stand and play on the steps, or come in while I'm holding him. But he doesn't like to try to float, play in one of the water ring floatie things, etc. Glad you had a breakthrough w/ Emily Sounds like you guys had fun!