Cloth Diapers Accessories

Last week for Kristin's Baby Talk link up, I spoke about how we plan to cloth diaper Baby W and how we decided upon the cloth diapers that we plan to use.

This week, I want to talk about the accessories we plan to use to help us with our cloth diaper adventure.

 

Diaper Sprayer

Tate was adamant that we get a diaper sprayer to use after a soiled diaper and before washing. I did some research and found a very useful tool in making our decision. John & Sherri @ YoungHouseLove had a post (HERE) regarding the diaper sprayer. We decided to get the same one they purchased and installed. It's the BumGenius diaper sprayer and I am really excited to get it installed and use it! We heard it helps out with smell, staining and making the cleaning process a whole lot easier.

You can purchase this diaper sprayer @ Babies R Us or Buy Buy Baby for $59.99. Keep in mind you can use 20% off coupons @ Buy Buy Baby (you can even use Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons there....they are owned by the same company).

Spray Pal

My husband actually informed me of this accessory. He has a friend that cloth diapers also and they had this and said it's great to use because it keeps the mess from spraying everywhere. We decided to go ahead and purchase it. It only cost $26.45 on their website. They even have a demo video on how to use it...check that out here!

Laundry Detergent

There is so many options out there for laundry detergent when cloth diapering. It can be very confusing and overwhelming. Everyone has their own experience and you really need to see what works for you. I decided to take the advice of a fellow blogger. Melissa over @ i carry your heart is a cloth diaper mommy and uses Charlie's Soap. She has had great experience with it. Tate's friend (the one that recommended the spray pal above) also uses Charlie's Soap. After researching and hearing personal experiences, I was confident choosing this laundry detergent for our cloth diapering. I ordered it off Amazon.

I decided to order 2 containers so I could take advantage of free shipping. This soap should last us a long time as it will only be used for cloth diapering and you only need to use a little bit.

Wet Bags

Many people ask what you use with the dirty diaper after you change it. There are a few options to choose from for storing until you wash. You can do wet bags or a diaper pail. We decided on wet bags for a few reasons. One reason was that the bag gets washed right with the diapers and it's easier for travel purposes. We will need to bring the bag to daycare with our lil' guy. After you decide on using wet bags, it's then time to figure out which brand to use. There is mixed reviews on all of them. We decided on PlanetWise. I ordered 3 large ones (holds 16-17 diapers) and one small bag for the diaper bag. I ordered the large ones off ebay. It's the best deal I could find.

They come in super cute fabric...which is always fun with baby stuff!

These are the main accessory items we bought for cloth diapering. We hope these items will help and make the process easier.

If any of you have questions, ask away!!!!

For those cloth diapering parents out there, do you have any cloth diapering items you use that I should know about?

Week 34

 

Baby W this week…

-Baby W pees about one pint a day

-He can recognize and react to simple songs

Size of the baby?

Baby W is the size of a butternut squash!

 

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

+23lbs at my 34 week appointment yesterday. I only gained 1lb in the last 4 weeks and spoke to the doctor about this because I felt like I should have gained more. She said it's OK and that I have gained the weight I need to and it's just baby gaining weight now.

Maternity Clothes?
The weather is FINALLY going to warm up this weekend...which means dresses without leggings, sandals and no coats!!! Can't wait!

Stretch Marks?

Only (hopefully) 6 weeks to go..still none!

Best Moments?
Back to 40 hour weeks..such a good feeling I am able to come home when it's still light outside. Getting his nursery together...love it!

Movement?
Still moving like crazy. I sure will miss that when he is out!

Food Cravings?

Nothing really! I do eat peanut butter every day...but I did that before I was pregnant :)

Anything making you queasy or sick?
Raw meat!

What I miss?

I have actually liked that it's not that nice out because one of my fav things is to enjoy a Leinie's outside on the deck during the warmer weather! Since there has been no warm weather...I haven't really been missing out. But I think that will all change in the next 5 weeks!

Nausea/Vomiting?

None

Symptoms?

I feel like I waddle have some pregnancy swag ;) I feel huge and strangers always ask about it. No strangers have touched my belly...thank gosh! I don't mind if people do, as long as I know them!

Labor Signs?

No serious signs yet!

Gender?

BOY

Belly Button In or Out?

It's out!!!

Wedding Rings On or Off?

On and still not getting tight!

Sleep?

 No interruptions...love it!

What I am looking forward to?

We are making the 4 hour trip to Tate's hometown one last time before he comes. I am looking forward to seeing all my in-laws, WI friends and celebrating Baby W again!

 

Cloth Diapering

We have decided to cloth diaper Baby W. I knew that I wanted to try cloth diapering even before we were pregnant. The question I always had was whether Tate would be OK with.

The main reason we decided to cloth diaper was because of the cost savings. Yes, it's also better for the environment and baby...but the number one reason for us and what convinced Tate to go along with it was the cost savings. I love saving money and if you tell me there is a way we can do that...I will try and work a bit harder at something to be able to do it.

When we found out we were pregnant, I immediately decided to start my research on the different types of cloth diapers. I wanted to pick out something that would be easy for Tate to use and not be complicated. I read reviews, hung out 'cloth diaper' message boards and watched YouTube videos to better my knowledge!

I ultimately decided on pocket cloth diapers as the type we would use. I decided on these because they seemed very easy to use and they were very similar to disposable in the sense that we would remove the whole diaper when needed and just put a new one on. I thought these may be easiest for the daycare provider we choose to use if they said they would use them.

After picking out what type of cloth diaper we wanted to use...then I needed to research the different brands. We decided on Sunbaby, Alva and BumGenius. We decided on three different brands so that we weren't just stuck on one brand in case that brand didn't work for us. I've read great things about all 3 brands and I have even read reviews about not so great things. When researching, I learned that every person has a different experience and you really just need to try it to know if that will work for you. Sunbaby and Alva are both made in China and that is where I ordered them from. BumGenius is sold at many stores here in the United States and are better quality (and more expensive). I am thinking Sunbaby and Alva will be used for daytime and BunGenius will be a night time diaper.

Why we picked the diapers we did...

1. Cost friendly (Sunbaby & Alva)
2. Super cute prints (Sunbaby)
3. Adjust to growing baby (All of them)
4. More good reviews than bad reviews (All of them)

Sunbaby Diapers

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If I were to pick ONE diaper to just use, it would have been the Sunbaby. I loved all the different print options and the diaper design. 8 out of 10 reviews I read on them were great and those moms said this would be their pick of diapers if they picked one. We ordered 12 diapers for $60.

Alva Diapers

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The Alva diapers come in MANY different series and is so confusing. In my research, I found the B series to be the most like Sunbaby and BumGenius and went with those. They only come in solid colors and are priced about the same as Sunbaby. The one added pro to Alva vs Sunbaby is that the snaps around the waist have an overlap in case the baby's waist is smaller. I can tell that they are 'cheaper' diapers then Sunbaby just by the material, but I am hoping they work for me like they have for other moms. We ordered 10 of the Alva diapers for $48.

Both Sunbaby and Alva come with one microfiber insert for each daiper purchased.

BumGenius


 Source

BumGenius are the most expensive pocket diapers of the three. I purchased one from BuyBuyBaby (with a 20% off coupon) to be able to show at daycare interviews and show Tate. We did register for these also from Target and Babies R Us and received some. I also plan to buy the 6 ply cloth diaper inserts from Target to use inside these for nighttime. I am going to try really hard to avoid leaks (which sometimes happens during long periods of time when the diaper is worn). I really like the quality of the BumGenius. We will see if they are worth the extra cost. The BumGenius currently sell for about $18/diaper. You get 2 inserts with each diaper purchased.

Click this sentence to be directed to a website for some interesting facts about cloth diapering.

Ultimately, cloth diapering is not for everyone, but I hope it's for us. We won't know until he gets here and we try it. We will be using disposables at the beginning since the diapers we purchased are meant for babies that are at least 8lbs (but he could be born above 8lbs...we will see). We will also need to use disposables because of his umbilical cord and he will be circumcised, which requires a little TLC with ointment. We don't want to ruin our diapers with any creams/ointments.

This is how we decided on cloth diapering and which diapers we picked. I hope to be back in a few months to let you all know how it's going.

I will be back next week with another linkup with Kristin for 'Baby Talk' to talk about the 'accessories' we got for our cloth diapering adventure!!!
 

 

Mya turns 4

Our lil' princess turned 4 yesterday!!! We adopted Mya when she was 3 months old so I don't have any pictures of her when she was a newborn...but I do have some the day we adopted her...

 

Playing fetch right away...we fell in love so fast!

Those ears....

 

We celebrated by giving her EXTRA love yesterday! We really did spoil her with attention. She has no idea how life will also change for her in 6 weeks or less...but I hope she knows that no matter what, we still love her the same.

 

We gave her a gift...raw hides. She really loves them and we love that it cleans her teeth.

 

She can't believe she is 4 already either...

 

Even though shes not always the best dog....she definitely knows how to show us that she loves us no matter what and greets us with kisses, pure excitement and butt sniffs :)

 

Besides celebrating Mya's birthday, we also spent the weekend getting ready for Baby W. We attended our breastfeeding class (Tate loved going to that...haha), attempting to put in the ceiling fan in his room (got it 1/2 done) and finished painting his dresser and side table.

 

We also found time to have fun. We invited another couple over for dinner on Saturday and played games...of course :) This couple had a baby in January...and I loved finally being able to meet her. She's adorable and I can't wait to see them again.

 

Fabulous weekend in the books...already looking forward to next!!! Is it Friday yet?!?!

 

Week 33

 

Baby W this week…

-Baby W is keeping his eyes open while awake

-He is also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing

-His bones are hardening

Size of the baby?

Baby W is the size of a durian...what the heck is that?!?!

 

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

+22lbs at my 32 week appointment. I have a 34 week appt next week so we will see if the last 2 weeks have added anymore lbs!

Maternity Clothes?
I busted out a maxi skirt for my baby shower last weekend...since we were just hanging out in the house! Still wearing both maternity and non-maternity!

Stretch Marks?

Another week down with no stretch marks....wohoooo!!!

Best Moments?
The showers. My friends and family are AMAZING! There were moments I wanted to cry because I was so happy...but I held it in. I feel the love and I hope he does too!!!

Movement?
He seriously moves so much! There were times in the last week that I was so busy with work that he was moving and I was thinking...wow, I am gassy! Then I had that moment of 'nope, your pregnant...that's just him moving'.

Food Cravings?

Just milk and fruit still. I want watermelon sooo bad!!! Can spring/summer just get here already!!!

Anything making you queasy or sick?
Most meat...especially when it is raw. I did eat some shredded chicken at my shower! It was super yummy!

What I miss?

Walking without feeling the pressure of this extra weight. I feel like he lays on top of my bladder and when I go for walks...I feel like I have to pee even though I just went! He is so low I feel like my belly is so heavy and weighing down!

Nausea/Vomiting?

None

Symptoms?

My hips were KILLING me yesterday! I am so not use to being on my feet all day. I took the day off and I ran around like crazy and then went for a walk. I could def tell my body was sore from it all.

Labor Signs?

I do have what I think are some contractions...but nothing that lasts.

Gender?

BOY

Belly Button In or Out?

It's out!!!

Wedding Rings On or Off?

On and still not getting tight!

Sleep?

 Now that tax season is over...back to 8 hours. Still get the full 8 hours without interruption. I love it!

What I am looking forward to?

Getting ready for him!!! Tax season is over and that means...only 8 hour work days, walks outside with Mya, preparing his nursery and everything else!!! I have a list to get done and I am hoping that most of it will get done before May!!!

13 weeks - 23 weeks - 33 weeks
(love that dress...can you tell :))
 

Baby shower weekend

This past weekend was I not only blessed to have one shower for baby W...but 2!!! My best friend and sister hosted one on Saturday as a 'friends' shower and my aunts hosted one on Sunday for my side of the family. Baby W sure is loved by so many people already. I loved seeing everyone and getting a nice 'break' from all the tax season madness.

My sister and best friend hosted the shower @ my house since it's the most convenient for friends and myself. It started at 4 on Saturday and they went above and beyond!!! 

We had amazing shredded bbq chicken sandwiches, jello salad, veggies, chips, dipped pretzel rods and create your own fruit pizza!!! Everything was sooooo yummy!!!

Beautiful flowers - sweet treats table

Baby Maysen - My mom helping Rylee out - Kel, Paislee and myself - Rylee very comfy with Heather & Tanya

Total concentration while playing games

Baby W getting very spoiled!!! We are so blessed!!!

My Bestie  & Maysen - Rylee & Lydia having fun - Rylee being so cute!

Great girlfriends!!!

My amazing hosts...Amanda & Hannah!!! Thank you girls so much...love you to pieces!!!

Then on Sunday, I headed to Faribault for my family baby shower.

My Aunts threw a great shower. They've had a lot of experience throwing them since I have a few cousins who have children!

Check out that fruit platter...loved it!!!!

One game was that each person had to make a baby out of play dough and I had to choose the best one! I ended up picking my sisters...she added a Nike sign, which I relate to sports, athletes, etc...all things I hope our lil boy likes!!!

And Baby W was once again spoiled! It's amazing how someone is so loved already and nobody has laid eyes on him yet!!!

This past weekend was simply amazing! I feel like the luckiest girl! I count my blessings everyday and thank God for this amazing experience! I look forward to celebrating with Tate's family in a few weeks!!!

Linking up for the first time with Kristen for Baby Talk!!!
 

Today is finally here!!!

I've been waiting for this day for 12 LONG weeks!!! When tax season started, I was 21 weeks pregnant, just found out we were having a boy and wanted to have all the time in the world to plan for his arrival. Instead, my career took over.

I knew I wanted to be an accountant since the 11th grade in high school and in college is when I decided I wanted to be in public accounting. Every year you know that there will be 12 weeks of working 60-70 hour weeks. 12 weeks that you are stressed and don't feel normal. 12 weeks of missing friends and family because of the demand of your job. But when you look at a 52 week year...12 weeks seems so minimal.

I love my job and I love what I do. Being pregnant and working tax season was a whole new experience. Being the active person that I am...sitting on my but for 12 hours days took it's toll with the extra weight I have put on. Trying to stay hydrated and eat regularly was also difficult. Trying to find time to get things done around the house and plan for his arrival was tricky...but I managed.

Tax season 2013 has come to an end which makes me so happy. I look forward to evenings at home with my husband. I look forward to planning for our lil' guys arrival. I look forward to only 8 hour work days. I look forward to blogging more and sharing with you all changes we've done to the house and exciting happenings.

12 loooooong weeks are done...now spring can officially begin!!! C'mon mother nature...get things figured out!!!

Week 32

Baby W this week…

- Baby W now has toenails, fingernails and real hair (or peach fuzz).

-Baby W is gaining about 1/2 lb a week

Size of the baby?

Baby W is the size of a squash!

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

+22lbs still. I didn't gain any weight in the last 2 weeks. I am surprised I haven't and the doctor didn't say anything regarding it.

Maternity Clothes?
I seriously am so over this winter crap! I even wore a dress yesterday with flats in hopes that mother nature when get the picture. Fingers crossed! I look forward to maxi skirts and sandals.

Stretch Marks?

32 weeks of none...only 8 more to go!!!

Best Moments?
Hearing his heartbeat again @ the doctors appointment is always music to my ears! Tate and I have been making finishing touches on our house to prepare for his arrival. Love checking things off the list!

Movement?
Still moving like crazy in there!

Food Cravings?

Milk & fruit!

Anything making you queasy or sick?
I almost threw up the other day when preparing chicken for Tate and having to touch the raw chicken! So disgusting!

What I miss?
I really need to learn to slow down. I'm programmed to be a fast mover but my body is telling me otherwise. So much to do...so little time!

Nausea/Vomiting?

None

Symptoms?

Ever growing belly, getting sore from running around all day on the weekends...the typical stuff :)

Labor Signs?

None yet!

Gender?

BOY

Belly Button In or Out?

It's out!!!

Wedding Rings On or Off?

On and still not getting tight!

Sleep?

 Just great! I love my sleep and I don't wake up once during the night :)

What I am looking forward to?

SO MUCH!!!!! I have 2 baby showers this weekend. My bestie & sister are throwing me a baby shower on Saturday and I am beyond excited to see everyone. I also have my side of the family baby shower on Sunday. I look forward to celebrating Baby W!

OH yeah...& tax season ends on Monday....woooohooooo!!!

12 weeks - 22 weeks - 32 weeks

Week 31

Baby W this week…

-Baby W is going through major brain and nerve development these days.

-His irises now react to light and all five senses are in working order.

Size of the baby?

Baby W is the size of my most fav fruit ever...pineapple!!!!

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

+22 lbs @ my 30 week appt this week. I have another appointment next week so the 32 week update will have the latest!

Maternity Clothes?
It's just starting to turn spring in MN. I can't wait to wear a few maxi skirts I bought with sandals. Temp is rising and snow is melting...very good signs that it's closer to wearing those things.

Stretch Marks?

Still none...whoop whoop!

Best Moments?
Spending time with our family this past weekend was a pretty fabulous moment along with my sister getting engaged. Getting lots of belly rubs...which I actually don't mind.

Movement?

He is very good at staying active and moving around. I'm always feeling him. He's keeping his mom from worrying :)

Food Cravings?

Mainly water and milk and fruit with lots of juice. I haven't had mac and cheese in a while and I am totally ok with that. Not really craving it anymore.

Anything making you queasy or sick?
Nothing really.

What I miss?
I missed not being able to have a nice glass of wine @ Easter dinner...but I really look forward to a nice Summer Shandy this summer :)

Nausea/Vomiting?

None

Symptoms?

Frequent bathroom breaks during the day (not at night though). I stand up and then realize I have to pee and rush to the bathroom. Still getting bloody noses and leg cramps.

Labor Signs?

I've had a few Braxton Hick contractions that are very painful. Has only happened a few times.

Gender?

BOY

Belly Button In or Out?
It's out!!!

Wedding Rings On or Off?

Still on and not even getting tight. No swelling (knock on wood) yet and I hope it stays that way.

Sleep?

 Due to work being so demanding these last couple weeks of tax season, I'm getting more like 6-7 hours of sleep a night, but thankfully it is all uninterrupted (unless I get a leg cramp).

What I am looking forward to?

We start labor & delivery class this week! I'm looking forward to that and finishing up house projects this weekend for my shower the following weekend. Only a few items left :)

Easter + an Engagement = Family Love

Linking up with Syndal & Sar for 'This Weekend I...'

 

This weekend was a nice break from all the tax season stress. This weekend was all about spending time with family! I loved seeing everyone and loved witnessing my sister being proposed too!!!

 

Tate and I went to church and then headed straight to my Grandparents in Austin, MN for the rest of the day. We enjoyed good food, great company and many games of Solitaire Frenzy!!

 

The super cute tulips my mom brought for my Grandparents!!!

 

My sister and I with our Grandpa - Mom feeling the lil' guy move!!!

 

My super cute husband and I :)

 

My family with my Grandma & Grandpa (minus my brothers).

 

Now to the engagement...Jordan (my sister's then boyfriend, now fiance) had messaged me a month ago asking if I knew Hannah's ring size. I did not and told him to not worry about it and that resizing is not a problem (luckily, he picked the right ring size)!!

 

He wanted to propose on Easter @ my Grandparents in front of family. He knew that Hannah would have no idea...and she didn't. I helped him organize everything, but he planned it all. It was so cute in the last month seeing how nervous he got and excited about the day coming. Everything played out perfect and my sister was completely shocked!

 

Jordan decided to send her on a treasure hunt. He wanted to involve family. After we took the family photo, I gave Hannah an egg with a note inside. She was confused but read it. It said to go find her first present under G&G's bed. There she found a note stating how we were all so proud of her for how she was doing in nursing school and a Coach purse. She thought we all bought it for her...haha, little did she know. The note told her to give her Grandparents a hug and a kiss. Then my Grandma gave her another note that told her hard work pays off and to find her next gift in the closet. There she found a Coach wallet and a note telling her to give our parents a hug & kiss. Then my dad gave her another note that said her next gift was in the guest room on the dresser. There she found 2 dozen red roses. She then came back into the living room to Jordan on one knee asking her to marry him. Her face was priceless. She still at that point had NO IDEA and thought we all bought her these nice things....but Jordan did it all!!! She of course said YES!!!

 

I am so so so excited for Jordan to become my brother in law officially next year sometime. My sister and Jordan have always talked about doing a destination wedding and still want too. This excites me very much :)

 

LOVE <3

 

The whole clan that got to spend Easter together and watch my sister get proposed too!

 

It was a very specialy day filled with lots of love!

 

Feeling very blessed!