After reading about the extra time off my current provider is planning to take, which would have resulted in me needing more vacation days than I am able to take, I called the subsidized place to see if I still had a chance. Luckily I called early and she agreed to take me. So I went to visit today and it was really nice. I was quite impressed with their operation, the meal plan and the daily plan. They are happy to use my cloth diapers, and they have a great outdoor space. The director was very nice, and the place is very secure. I think Jackson will do well there, though I am not looking forward to the short transition.
I still need to have an interview with the city about the subsidy, I couldn't afford to have him there without it, it's about half the cost that the city is going to cover... That adds up to a lot of money. Hopefully they call me tomorrow about the interview so I can get that over and done asap. The start date is September 6th. I have the day booked off to take an extra long weekend, now I'll be going to daycare to spend the day with Jackson there and help him adjust. He'll do a half day then on the 7th he goes all day, unless there is a meltdown of some sort, in which case I'll have to go get him but that's ok with me. They are closed the 3 days between Christmas and New Years, but I expected that any way so it's ok. Way better than the 10 days DCP is planning to be closed.
Now the sticky part. My contract says I have to give one months notice, and I'll be giving two weeks. I'm willing to pay for those two, obviously, and one more after he's done there. But I do not want to pay her for a whole month. Even that extra week is a bit much. I feel as though she has violated the contract first because she says 10 days vacation but has already taken those, plus one booked in November, and the time over xmas... it would be 17 days in one year. I don't get that many days in a year. Never mind that I have take some extra time just for me.
One good thing about the new place is that I can take my holidays whenever I want. I have to pay regardless but if I want to take two weeks off in the summer, I can do that. I will have to save 3 days for December, but that's fine. I can do that.
I am feeling blessed, and glad to have gotten the second chance. Both a friend and my mom have said that this must be meant to be, and that someone upstairs is looking out for me. I am not that religious but I do believe in a higher power, and something out there was knocking me on the head with the right decision to make. That does help.
The location is ok, could be better for getting to and from work but it was a 10 minute drive home from there. I'll have to change my work schedule to 8 to 4, that's ok I guess. And I will have to figure out how to actually get there and back, and avoid the construction currently going on. I think we'll adjust to the new schedule. Kind of funny it's labour day weekend, when school starts up here... I haven't had anything big happen around labour day in years! Now it feels like I'm starting new :-)
Showing posts with label cloth diapering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cloth diapering. Show all posts
Monday, August 22, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Diaper dilemas
I've been using cloth diapers since my son was about 7 months, it was the best decision, and I wish I had started sooner. He is, however, a big boy. I had a hard time then finding diapers that fit his rise with what I felt was room to grow. I did manage to find a few I liked, and rarely paid full price for them. I have yet to find a good over night solution and we use a disposable over night, he still leaks. I have a selection now, mostly pockets and all in ones, they are the preference of my daycare provider, and easier for me too. I am however getting worried.
Most of the diapers I have are starting to get a bit low in the rise, and look more like bikini underwear than a proper diaper. Having a boy, good coverage in front is important. A couple will still work, my sweetpeas should last awhile, and my one size fuzzibuns might last another 6 months or so. The mediums, I'll be lucky to get another 2 months out of. I love my TotsBots AIO's but they will probably only last another 6 months or so, which is sad because they are so cute, so absorbent, and bamboo, so nice and natural. I know my boy will not be potty trained before 2 1/2 at the earliest, he has no interest, doesn't even seem to know what's going on down there, and never complains if he's wet or dirty. So I need diapers to last another year.
As an attempt to try something new, that will hopefully fit, I ordered a couple Thirsties Duo pockets in size 2, and AMP AIO's in large. I ordered from Caterpillarbaby, who was great in answering some questions and recommending the Thirsties. I wanted to get some happy heiny's but the new fit is an inch shorted in the rise, so there is no way they will last. I am still on the look out for some of the old style, and hopefully I'll be able to pick a couple up.
The Thirsties fit really well, they are super cute, and have the same two openings that I love about my sweetpeas. They come in some nice colours and a couple cute prints. The prints cost a dollar more but I splurged and got one. The inserts are great, there are two that snap together, the top one is microfiber and the bottom one is hemp, so you get the best of both, with the microfiber pulling the moisture away quickly, and the hemp holding lots of liquid. So far they seem to be working really well. Of course he always poops in the new diapers as soon as I put them on him... but I tricked him and had two! The second one did hold up to a good 3 hours stretch, no leaks, no red marks, and it looks like he can grow another 2 or 3 inches, though it depends on where those inches are lol, the rise should last.
The AMPs were great as well. I was actually surprised as I tried one in the demo I did when I started and did not like it then. I still do not think I would like the AMP pockets as they look puffy in front, and that's not a good look on a boy. The AIO's were great though. They take a long time to dry but are super easy to wash. I again bought two, and they both stood up to a few hours of pee'ing. I have a heavy wetter, so this is a big deal to me. Also, no rashes or anything, so they wick the moisture away nicely. I don't think I would use one overnight, but as I said, I have yet to find any cloth that will hold up to overnight (and up to 4 bottles between bedtime and overnight). I like that the AMP's come in a lot of colours, though I don't think any prints, and they don't need to be prepped. You need to wash them once first of course but not multiple times like the Thirsties inserts.
I am debating how many I need to get, and how soon. I am still hoping to get some HH, they are OS which would be good to have for baby number 2. That is one thing I'm hoping for with all these diapers, that I can use them again on baby number 2. I might sell a few that I'm not as happy with, and replace them with ones that I really like.
All in all, using cloth diapers has been a huge learning curve but also incredibly fun. And actually it is easier in the day to day to use them than I thought it would be. I wish I had started sooner. At least I know for next time, and am all set to start.
Most of the diapers I have are starting to get a bit low in the rise, and look more like bikini underwear than a proper diaper. Having a boy, good coverage in front is important. A couple will still work, my sweetpeas should last awhile, and my one size fuzzibuns might last another 6 months or so. The mediums, I'll be lucky to get another 2 months out of. I love my TotsBots AIO's but they will probably only last another 6 months or so, which is sad because they are so cute, so absorbent, and bamboo, so nice and natural. I know my boy will not be potty trained before 2 1/2 at the earliest, he has no interest, doesn't even seem to know what's going on down there, and never complains if he's wet or dirty. So I need diapers to last another year.
As an attempt to try something new, that will hopefully fit, I ordered a couple Thirsties Duo pockets in size 2, and AMP AIO's in large. I ordered from Caterpillarbaby, who was great in answering some questions and recommending the Thirsties. I wanted to get some happy heiny's but the new fit is an inch shorted in the rise, so there is no way they will last. I am still on the look out for some of the old style, and hopefully I'll be able to pick a couple up.
The Thirsties fit really well, they are super cute, and have the same two openings that I love about my sweetpeas. They come in some nice colours and a couple cute prints. The prints cost a dollar more but I splurged and got one. The inserts are great, there are two that snap together, the top one is microfiber and the bottom one is hemp, so you get the best of both, with the microfiber pulling the moisture away quickly, and the hemp holding lots of liquid. So far they seem to be working really well. Of course he always poops in the new diapers as soon as I put them on him... but I tricked him and had two! The second one did hold up to a good 3 hours stretch, no leaks, no red marks, and it looks like he can grow another 2 or 3 inches, though it depends on where those inches are lol, the rise should last.
The AMPs were great as well. I was actually surprised as I tried one in the demo I did when I started and did not like it then. I still do not think I would like the AMP pockets as they look puffy in front, and that's not a good look on a boy. The AIO's were great though. They take a long time to dry but are super easy to wash. I again bought two, and they both stood up to a few hours of pee'ing. I have a heavy wetter, so this is a big deal to me. Also, no rashes or anything, so they wick the moisture away nicely. I don't think I would use one overnight, but as I said, I have yet to find any cloth that will hold up to overnight (and up to 4 bottles between bedtime and overnight). I like that the AMP's come in a lot of colours, though I don't think any prints, and they don't need to be prepped. You need to wash them once first of course but not multiple times like the Thirsties inserts.
I am debating how many I need to get, and how soon. I am still hoping to get some HH, they are OS which would be good to have for baby number 2. That is one thing I'm hoping for with all these diapers, that I can use them again on baby number 2. I might sell a few that I'm not as happy with, and replace them with ones that I really like.
All in all, using cloth diapers has been a huge learning curve but also incredibly fun. And actually it is easier in the day to day to use them than I thought it would be. I wish I had started sooner. At least I know for next time, and am all set to start.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Laundry day
I am so tired of doing laundry. For the past 16, almost 17 months, I have done probably a load of laundry a day. I've forgotten loads in the washer and had to rewash them, forgotten loads in the dryer and had to re fluff them. I've forgotten to add soap, added too much, not felt like putting things away and left them in the basket until it's time for the next load to be done. Having a child, they don't tell you this, adds an incredible amount of laundry!
When he was new, he was constantly spitting up, and leaking other ways lol, and causing dirty blankets, clothes, just about everything. I washed a lot of clothes. Even now, his diaper sometimes leaks, especially over night, or his bottle, or he just plain drools a lot. Sometimes he just gets dirty, crayons, paint, sparkles. And then of course there are the diapers. I switched him to cloth diapers 9 months ago, and have no real regrets about doing so. It's fun, they're cute, and I never run out of diapers or have to run to the store to pick up more. But I also have to do at least 3 loads of diapers a week. And that's a tricky business.
Washing cloth diapers isn't really hard, and I am lucky to have soft water, a top loader, and haven't had any "stink" issues...yet. I dump them all in the washer, run a cold rinse, then add a scoop of Nellies soap and run a hot wash/cold rinse cycle. I use the most water the machine will do. When they're done I throw them in the dryer on medium heat for about 30 to 45 minutes, then hang them up to finish drying. I like to use the dryer because it adds some fluff to the diapers, so they are softer and nice. But three times a week, well it's a lot of laundry.
I also of course have to do my own clothes. Once a week :-) I remember fondly when it was just me and I did one load of laundry a week, maybe two lol. Now it's at least 7 a week. The funny, or sad?, thing is that this past long weekend, while visiting my parents, the most relaxing part of it all was that my mom did all the laundry. And it was so nice!
When he was new, he was constantly spitting up, and leaking other ways lol, and causing dirty blankets, clothes, just about everything. I washed a lot of clothes. Even now, his diaper sometimes leaks, especially over night, or his bottle, or he just plain drools a lot. Sometimes he just gets dirty, crayons, paint, sparkles. And then of course there are the diapers. I switched him to cloth diapers 9 months ago, and have no real regrets about doing so. It's fun, they're cute, and I never run out of diapers or have to run to the store to pick up more. But I also have to do at least 3 loads of diapers a week. And that's a tricky business.
Washing cloth diapers isn't really hard, and I am lucky to have soft water, a top loader, and haven't had any "stink" issues...yet. I dump them all in the washer, run a cold rinse, then add a scoop of Nellies soap and run a hot wash/cold rinse cycle. I use the most water the machine will do. When they're done I throw them in the dryer on medium heat for about 30 to 45 minutes, then hang them up to finish drying. I like to use the dryer because it adds some fluff to the diapers, so they are softer and nice. But three times a week, well it's a lot of laundry.
I also of course have to do my own clothes. Once a week :-) I remember fondly when it was just me and I did one load of laundry a week, maybe two lol. Now it's at least 7 a week. The funny, or sad?, thing is that this past long weekend, while visiting my parents, the most relaxing part of it all was that my mom did all the laundry. And it was so nice!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Bummis Easy Fit
I love this diaper! I ordered from a place in BC that had a deal, spend $25 and get a free one size diaper. She picks one to send and you get a surprise! I got a one size bummis easy fit and have to say it is a really great diaper. So nice I ordered two more! And I don't need any more lol.
It has snaps to adjust the rise from 8 to 35 pounds, and velcro on the waist, with laundry tabs that really do work. I washed/dried it three times to prep it and the first time I put it on him I was really impressed with the fit. I have a big boy, he's not even 1 yet but over 32 inches and 23 pounds, so I need something that will last awhile and this sure will.
The soaker is neat, it agitates out in the wash and you stuff it back in, so in that sense it's kind of like a pocket, but because it's all attached you don't have to wonder which insert goes with which diaper, you just stuff it back in there. It also means it dries much faster than a lot of other AIO's I've tried. I ordered two more in cute prints, the first prints I have, and they are adorable! It's too bad it's getting to be winter or I'd be putting it on him with nothing else :) The diaper is made from bamboo fibers, and is really absorbant, it's held up to nap time with no leaks and keeps his skin dry as well. I also like that where you stuff the insert back in you can add more absorbancy if you needed to. It also holds in all the other messes, and is easy to rinse off with my sprayer. Plus you don't have to unstuff anything which is a huge bonus, I do hate grabbing icky wet/dirty inserts out of a diaper!
I've found it for $24.95 which seems to be standard. There is a smaller version as well, the tiny fit, which I would think would be great for a newborn. According to the bummis website the easy fit holds 520ml or 17.6 oz, which is awesome. I haven't tried this for overnight, as I have a very heavy wetter overnight, but think you could add an extra insert or doubler and it would work. I have to admit they have a lot more cute girly prints than boy prints, but that seems to be the case with most diapers (and everything else), the colours are nice and bright though, and most are gender neutral.
All in all I love the easy fit AIO, and would get more if I had another baby to diaper.
It has snaps to adjust the rise from 8 to 35 pounds, and velcro on the waist, with laundry tabs that really do work. I washed/dried it three times to prep it and the first time I put it on him I was really impressed with the fit. I have a big boy, he's not even 1 yet but over 32 inches and 23 pounds, so I need something that will last awhile and this sure will.
The soaker is neat, it agitates out in the wash and you stuff it back in, so in that sense it's kind of like a pocket, but because it's all attached you don't have to wonder which insert goes with which diaper, you just stuff it back in there. It also means it dries much faster than a lot of other AIO's I've tried. I ordered two more in cute prints, the first prints I have, and they are adorable! It's too bad it's getting to be winter or I'd be putting it on him with nothing else :) The diaper is made from bamboo fibers, and is really absorbant, it's held up to nap time with no leaks and keeps his skin dry as well. I also like that where you stuff the insert back in you can add more absorbancy if you needed to. It also holds in all the other messes, and is easy to rinse off with my sprayer. Plus you don't have to unstuff anything which is a huge bonus, I do hate grabbing icky wet/dirty inserts out of a diaper!
I've found it for $24.95 which seems to be standard. There is a smaller version as well, the tiny fit, which I would think would be great for a newborn. According to the bummis website the easy fit holds 520ml or 17.6 oz, which is awesome. I haven't tried this for overnight, as I have a very heavy wetter overnight, but think you could add an extra insert or doubler and it would work. I have to admit they have a lot more cute girly prints than boy prints, but that seems to be the case with most diapers (and everything else), the colours are nice and bright though, and most are gender neutral.
All in all I love the easy fit AIO, and would get more if I had another baby to diaper.
Monday, August 9, 2010
A couple diaper reviews
I thought I'd review a few of the diapers I love to use on my little guy. For stats, he's about 31 inches and 23 pounds, tall and skinny lol, with a longer rise, so there were a few I tried out that just don't fit him well. The ones that do fit him are the Flip, SweetPea pocket, FuzziBunz medium and the new BG 4.0. The one I like best is really the Flip, I use the stay dry inserts, I don't like the idea of him sitting in wetness if we don't have to. I love that I can swap out the wet insert and use a new one. The covers are great, they work well with the inserts and also with some prefolds. I have mine set on medium and love that the snaps adjust to fit his chubby thighs and skinny belly. I'm not sure how they'd work on a tiny baby, because I started this a bit late, but they works really well on him, and I expect they will for awhile.
SweetPea diapers are great, they are not expensive, they are one size, come with two inserts, and are just so nicely made! I think they would fit a newborn pretty well, depending how bit the new born is of course. I haven't had any leaks with these, which is pertty amazing. He's even gone 4 hours in one with no leaks, through a nap and everything! I've been using them for a few weeks now and they come clean quite easily. I like that they keep him dry feeling too, and the inserts really absorb a lot of pee. I like that they have a liner all the way up, so none of the Pul touches his skin, it's just all nice soft stay dry lining.
FuzziBunz, I used one during a trial and didn't care for it, but there was a really good deal online so I ordered one, now I've ordered 3 more :) I think the one I had in the trial was an older version, these new ones are nice and fit him well. They came with one insert, and it is very absorbant. I've only had it a week or so, he's worn it three times, and it seems to be his poopy diaper, almost as soon as I get it on him, there he goes! So it hasn't been worn much yet :) I do wish I'd ordered a one size to try, I'm not sure the medium will last until potty training, he is a big boy.
BG 4.0 is a good diaper, I like that it is a bit bigger than the older version, it fits well on the medium settings. It came with two inserts, I use the bigger one on the medium snap and it works well. I'm not sure I like the opening for the insert, it seems that it could open up and leave the insides to rub on his back. We'll see how it works. Also, there is a layer of Pul on the front inside, not sure how that will work for us. Part of why I switched to cloth is because he was reacting to something in the disposables along his back, it's still pretty rashy (only just getting to using cloth overnight), and I'm not sure Pul would be any better than the sposies.
So those are the diapers I like, I have a couple others I'm still trying out, I like to try different things, and anything on sale is great :)
SweetPea diapers are great, they are not expensive, they are one size, come with two inserts, and are just so nicely made! I think they would fit a newborn pretty well, depending how bit the new born is of course. I haven't had any leaks with these, which is pertty amazing. He's even gone 4 hours in one with no leaks, through a nap and everything! I've been using them for a few weeks now and they come clean quite easily. I like that they keep him dry feeling too, and the inserts really absorb a lot of pee. I like that they have a liner all the way up, so none of the Pul touches his skin, it's just all nice soft stay dry lining.
FuzziBunz, I used one during a trial and didn't care for it, but there was a really good deal online so I ordered one, now I've ordered 3 more :) I think the one I had in the trial was an older version, these new ones are nice and fit him well. They came with one insert, and it is very absorbant. I've only had it a week or so, he's worn it three times, and it seems to be his poopy diaper, almost as soon as I get it on him, there he goes! So it hasn't been worn much yet :) I do wish I'd ordered a one size to try, I'm not sure the medium will last until potty training, he is a big boy.
BG 4.0 is a good diaper, I like that it is a bit bigger than the older version, it fits well on the medium settings. It came with two inserts, I use the bigger one on the medium snap and it works well. I'm not sure I like the opening for the insert, it seems that it could open up and leave the insides to rub on his back. We'll see how it works. Also, there is a layer of Pul on the front inside, not sure how that will work for us. Part of why I switched to cloth is because he was reacting to something in the disposables along his back, it's still pretty rashy (only just getting to using cloth overnight), and I'm not sure Pul would be any better than the sposies.
So those are the diapers I like, I have a couple others I'm still trying out, I like to try different things, and anything on sale is great :)
Friday, August 6, 2010
Welcome
This is my story, my journey as a Mom. I'm a single mom by choice, I have an amazing little boy who was born Dec 9, 09. It has been an interesting time so far, he's almost 8 months old and I've learned a lot. The main things I've learned all come down to following my own intuition, doing what feels right to me. I've done a lot of things that you aren't supposed to do, and so far he's healthy and happy.
One of the hardest things was during the first few weeks when he was colicy, he cried so much, and hardly slept, it was very difficult. I finally one night flipped him onto his tummy to sleep, and he slept 5 hours straight! He's been a tummy sleeper ever since. Now that he can roll every which way he sleeps all over, on his side, back or tummy. He really gets into it too, I've watched him throw himself around in that crib...so cute!
He's been a formula baby from the start, breastfeeding was not going to happen. He has certainly thrived on it, and does love his "baba's" He's a big eater too, holding steady at about 36 oz a day for the past 3 months or so, somedays he has an extra bottle in there. We had to try a couple formulas to find one that works for us.
At 5 months I started him on solids, I figured his having 2 or 3 teeth at that point meant he could eat...he did ok with the purees and cereals but it didn't feel right to me. Then I read about baby led weaning, and man that just felt right! Now he eats what I do, and loves it all. He's got a varied diet and will have steamed veggies and turkey meat loaf for supper, fruits for breakfast, cheese and cucumbers for lunch...all kinds of things. He even likes hummus! Ice cream is a favourite, he doesn't get it that often though.
About 2 months ago I started to really think about cloth diapers, and a month ago I did a trial. I found a couple in the trial that I really liked, and off we went! It's actually a lot of fun, and he looks so cute!! I'm sure I've spent too much money on these things but oh well...I'll have to have another baby to make up the cost. It was hard to find diapers that fit him in the rise. So far we like the Flips, SweetPea Pockets, and I have a couple others we're going to try.
I've carried him from the start, first in a stretchy wrap, then a pocket sling, tried a ring sling and eventually found the ergo and scootababy...love both of those! I carry him in the stores on my hip, though he's starting to get big to carry, and is starting to grab at things as we go down the aisles...I'm sure we'll work it out.
So there it is, intro to me :) I'm more of a crunchy mommy than I thought I would be. It's funny that everything I'm doing is labelled somewhere and written up, called attachment parenting, natural parenting, even the baby led weaning that is how I wanted to do things but didn't think I was allowed to. So I'm trusting my instincts and learning to follow my intuition...and I'm sure we'll both be happy for it :)
One of the hardest things was during the first few weeks when he was colicy, he cried so much, and hardly slept, it was very difficult. I finally one night flipped him onto his tummy to sleep, and he slept 5 hours straight! He's been a tummy sleeper ever since. Now that he can roll every which way he sleeps all over, on his side, back or tummy. He really gets into it too, I've watched him throw himself around in that crib...so cute!
He's been a formula baby from the start, breastfeeding was not going to happen. He has certainly thrived on it, and does love his "baba's" He's a big eater too, holding steady at about 36 oz a day for the past 3 months or so, somedays he has an extra bottle in there. We had to try a couple formulas to find one that works for us.
At 5 months I started him on solids, I figured his having 2 or 3 teeth at that point meant he could eat...he did ok with the purees and cereals but it didn't feel right to me. Then I read about baby led weaning, and man that just felt right! Now he eats what I do, and loves it all. He's got a varied diet and will have steamed veggies and turkey meat loaf for supper, fruits for breakfast, cheese and cucumbers for lunch...all kinds of things. He even likes hummus! Ice cream is a favourite, he doesn't get it that often though.
About 2 months ago I started to really think about cloth diapers, and a month ago I did a trial. I found a couple in the trial that I really liked, and off we went! It's actually a lot of fun, and he looks so cute!! I'm sure I've spent too much money on these things but oh well...I'll have to have another baby to make up the cost. It was hard to find diapers that fit him in the rise. So far we like the Flips, SweetPea Pockets, and I have a couple others we're going to try.
I've carried him from the start, first in a stretchy wrap, then a pocket sling, tried a ring sling and eventually found the ergo and scootababy...love both of those! I carry him in the stores on my hip, though he's starting to get big to carry, and is starting to grab at things as we go down the aisles...I'm sure we'll work it out.
So there it is, intro to me :) I'm more of a crunchy mommy than I thought I would be. It's funny that everything I'm doing is labelled somewhere and written up, called attachment parenting, natural parenting, even the baby led weaning that is how I wanted to do things but didn't think I was allowed to. So I'm trusting my instincts and learning to follow my intuition...and I'm sure we'll both be happy for it :)
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