18 weeks and cloth diapering updates!

...So tomorrow I will be officially 8 weeks and am so excited that I am almost "halfway" through my pregnancy already, yey!!!  I have my OB appointment tomorrow and then I have my anatomy scan in 2 weeks and I am so excited, I can't wait!  Here are my 18-week belly pix:



...And here is the quick 5-minute video blog on my update and how I'm feeling:

So I finally got my "fluffy mail" and have my "starter" stash of cloth diapers.  I still need to get things like my diaper pail, wet bags, wipes, diaper sprayer and things like that but I registered for some of them and may end up purchasing some when it gets closer to my due date.  For now I have the following items:

One dozen Cloth EEZ brand unbleached indian NEWBORN size prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers.
This is BEFORE I prepped them.

The varying inserts that came w/my cloth diapers.
These have NOT been prepped yet.



Top to bottom- Left to right: Bum Genius 4.0, Kawaii
Fuzzibunz OS, Best Bottoms OS Shell, Tweedlebugs OS
Bum Genius Flip OS Cover, Happy Heiny's OS
Grovia AIO newborn, Bummis Super Lite Cover, Fuzzibunz XS newborn, Bummis Super Brite Cover.

...To prep my diapers, I bought a sample of Rockin' Green detergent to use and to try out.  The scent is very clean and mild and I am currently researching other cloth diaper friendly detergents for my diapers as well.  There are some mainstream detergents that are acceptable to use for both your laundry and cloth diapers, but I am feeling compelled to use a separate one for my cloth diapers yet there can be conflicts w/doing that as residue from your existing detergent can always potentially get into your cloth diapers...so..I am still researching my options and will let you know what I end up doing.

...I prepped my diapers in 2 separate loads.  I did all the diapers, covers and inserts in one load and then hung them to dry with a short fluff cycle on low heat for 10 minutes.  I did the prefolds separately with some bath towels and dried them in the dryer on high heat.  I use wool dryer balls in my dryer and that definitely helps cut the drying time down alot so I am glad I bought them for that reason!

...I have an LG stackable front loading HE washer and dryer and the washer senses the size of the load and adjusts the water accordingly and the dryer senses the size and moisture and adjusts the drying time accordingly...very cool and efficient.

...For the first time in prepping my diapers, I did a cold rinse cycle with no detergent.  Then I did a normal load with one teaspoon of the rockin' green detergent on hot wash, cold rinse.  This is what  I will continue to do to prep my diapers.  The suggestion is to do this at least 5-6 times BEFORE the first initial use of the diapers and if possible, a dozen times before....this only counts for the actual INSERTS and PREFOLDS.  The actual diapers themselves and covers do NOT need to be prepped this way...when in doubt, just follow the manufacturer's instructions in washing and prepping  your diapers.  I am only going to prep my diapers once a week for the next 10 weeks since I didn't feel like spending all day or half the day doing consecutive loads to prep the diapers...so will take my time over the next few months to do so.

I am sure once I am actually using the diapers and have actual soiled diapers, my routine and cycle will be different and I will be sure to update what I am doing at that point, but for now I am only prepping them.


...I am really excited that I get to go to a brick and mortar cloth diaper store tomorrow!  It's called Green Family Living and her website is Diaperware.  She is only about 20 minutes from me and I'm just tickled to be able to go there to check everything out so I can gain some perspective before making my next few purchases, yey!

Well I hope this has been informative for you all.  I will be sure to update on my anatomy scan and everything else over the next few weeks.  It's still so surreal yet fabulous all at the same time.

Until my next post, take care and have a great weekend everyone!

Elise_Is_PG

Cloth Diapers, my new addiction!

....So I've gotten "fluffy mail" in the last week and have received some really great deals!  So far, I have 6 diapers and am due to get 4 more and will have a total of 10 in my slowly budding collection.  It's great to see that Gregg has also taken to this idea and is just as fascinated with them as I am!  He is always on board when something makes logical sense....even more in agreeance when it makes economical, practical and financial sense and I do believe he thoroughly appreciates my efforts to save money and determination to pursue this and to make cloth diapers work...for us. 

I've subscribed to so many mommy channels on YouTube related to cloth diapering and just in mothering tips related to going green....and have truly learned so much about being natural and am very excited about how these subtle changes will benefit my family as well as the environment.  I am really beginning to understand how this whole cloth diapering can be addictive, oh boy!  They come in such cute prints and nifty designs that you can't get just one....it's near impossible...but I am trying to be a realist, because I do not know which ones will work best for the baby nor do I know which ones I will like the most...so I have to refrain from going bonkers and buying on every sale that crosses my path.

Seriously, this is much harder than resisting that sexy pair of stilettos or that great purse on sale at TJ Maxx...I believe my "cutoff" point will be another 2 diapers to round out my dozen of one-sized diapers and covers and then I will buy a dozen prefolds too.  I believe that will be enough to carry me through the first 2 weeks or so ...and then I'll know which ones I like or which ones that work best and will be able to actually order my STOCK ...at which point, I will be sooooooooooooooo excited then to shop shop shop---I am in nesting mode FULL THROTTLE now it seems...and I was just made aware of the fact that there is an actual STORE...cloth diapering store..barely 30 minutes from me so I will definitely have to head over there to really check out their stash and inventory to learn more about this whole new habit I'm forming!

I am contemplating trying my hand at actually sewing a cloth diaper.  I saw a few patterns for them on Etsy and truly it doesn't look that hard...and I'm a novice/somewhat knowledgeable sewer...I'm not the fancypants my professional seamstress mother is....but I have learned some great tips from her through the years and I think she would be happy and impressed that I am trying to get better at it and taking it on as a new hobby.  I am finding that it is very therapeutic and de-stressing for me...and... I love seeing my projects come to life and finished.

Being PREGGO had certainly brought out the craftiness in me....I have a whole list of things I'd like to do before the baby comes and the projects that I have lined up are both baby and home decor related so it'll be interesting to see what I actually attempt and complete, lol.  I have a bit of ADD...as I think everyone has some bit of it...and my creativity doesn't always come when I want it to...the juices may start flowing but the actual application doesn't always happen....right away so I am making it a point to be mindful..flat out...intentional about starting and completing them because I know everyone will enjoy our home being more "homey" and decorative...I always have this running ticker...this list...that seems neverending but it always manages to keep me steppin' and keep things interesting...since I get bored so easily....ho hum.

...I fear I am just yammering away again with no true order or sense of direction of what I am even talking about...lol.  Just be on the lookout for some updates related to pregnancy progress...baby shower stuff...registry ....and of course, more cloth diapers!  Once, I actually get my full stash...I will try to do a vlog on what brands I got and why....and then attempt to do a video on my first laundering experience w/them as you're supposed to PREP them before the first initial use ANNDDDDDD I'll also be able to use the new wool dryer balls I got with them too so it should make for a very interesting vlog and post!

Until then, I'm signing off as your preggo eggo....Take Care, Stay Cool, and Be Happy!

Elise_Is_PG

Nicki's Diapers Exclusive Black Fuzzibunz Giveaway!!!

...Since my newfound addiction to all things related to eco-living and cloth diapering, I have discovered some amazing resources and websites.  One site in particular-- Nicki's Diapers.  I recently in my last post, ordered a few diapers to become familiar with the different brands and am now eagerly awaiting my "fluffy mail" so that I can do a vlog to let you know my thoughts and share with you my excitement!

Nicki's Diapers is having an awesome giveway of a BLACK Fuzzibunz Diaper!  It is a rarity to find any cloth diaper in BLACK especially one of this calibor and high quality favorite, a Fuzzibunz!  Subscribe to their Nicki's Diapers Blog and friend them on Nicki's Diapers Facebook Page and find out how you can take part in this fabulous giveaway!

Gummies, Crafts, Cloth Diapering and Schedules

...It's been about a week since my last post...and so much has happened...my darling daughter turned 11 years old!!!  I can't believe she is growing up so fast!!!  My husband got a job doing some contract work which is a blessing until he secures a more desirable and permanent position...either where he is currently or elsewhere...whatever offer is most beneficial and lucrative is what I am sure he will take...so we are very thankful for this opportunity...I am going absolutely bonkers with all things related to the baby...researching everything and anything just so that I will be prepared and have everything I want and need as well as register for whatever other items that we'd desire to have...it is truly so much fun to be nesting and shopping for the baby before their arrival!

...I've ordered some different brands of cloth diapers so that I can see them first hand and as suggested by many veteran cloth diaperers...not every diaper will suit every mom or baby so it's good to experiment...a great site that I have referenced and where I ordered my very first order of cloth diapers was from a site called Nicki's Diapers and I ordered 4 kinds of diapers:

Best Bottom One Size Diapers
Bum Genius! 4.0 One Size Diapers
Fuzzi Bunz One Size Diapers
Tweedle Bugs One Size Diapers

After researching ALOT and speaking to friends and other moms on blogs and chat boards, I felt that these brands would be easy to use and also offered me the most benefit for what I wanted.  There are also a few other brands that I am also interested in and will eventually order more when I get some money to feed this new-found addiction and fascination of mine, lol.  Two other brands that have tweaked my interest are Dinkle Dooz and Simply Cloth Diapers. 

The cloth diapers of 2011 certainly aren't the ones that your grandma used to use, although many still use and love the traditional, tried and true chinese prefold diapers of yesterday.  They are the most affordable and the actual cloth diapers can be used to do so much after your baby is all grown up!  You can refurbish the cloth prefolds and use them to do housecleaning, cleaning up spills...they are super absorbent and offer a multitude of uses all over your home.

Please don't hesitate to suggest some of your favorite cloth diapers as well if you're already a Cloth Diapering Diva!  I am a total newbie and am very excited and am all about all things GREEN and ECO-FRIENDLY and am always looking for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle!

...Aside from my new found love of cloth diapering, I was also able to research Wool Dryer Balls which I will blog about in my next posts.  I ordered a set from Etsy.com and will update once I've used them and will clue you in on what they are and what they do if you don't already know about them!

...I also managed to stay on the phone for about 40 minutes on Friday to schedule every single one of my future OB appointments all the way up til the day of my scheduled due date, lol.  I am so happy to know when my appointments are and am so excited to move forward in my doctor's visits and to just get jolly-o big w/my preggo belly!

...Since doing my research on everything, I also came across some great tutorials on youtube to learn how to make my own nursing pads and cloth baby wipes which I know I will definitely take my hand at trying to do...it's a great way to get crafty w/my daughter as well as make my own items that I will use and not have to purchase...and who knows, maybe I will turn it all into a side business??? Hmm...might be an interesting idea...lol.

I've also discovered....well..actually...realized that I have  a severe addiction to all things related to gummy candies...I LOVE LOVE LOVE gummy bears!  Especially the Haribo brand...and am always noshing on them throughout the day....so much that I may just turn into a gummy bear or maybe I'll start poo-ing them lol....(sorry for that, but seriously, it's pretty intense how much I love them, lol) and I also love other gummy candies like gummy peach rings, sour patch kids...all of them...lol.  I don't crave chocolate or any other candies...although I will confess it seems that I am craving the fruity kinds of candy...jolly ranchers and actual fruit...with Vanessa, I used to always want chocolate and all things related to chocolate and ice-cream...and she definitely does love chocolate lol....so maybe this baby will want all things related to gummies and fruit???  Who knows!?  It's just so interesting how pregnancies are truly different from one to the next and that there really isn't any rhyme or reason to the whole process.

Anyways,  I digress....I am just blabbing away and I'm sure y'all have better things to do than to read my blog lol...it's a heatwave in Philly this week...all 90s...I have a few phone interviews to do, some domestic goddess duties to tend to...Vanessa will be having a girly sleepover with 2 of her school friends on Friday and I have a bunch of correspondence and paperwork related to the condo rental and other things to finish up too...it's great to have my energy back and I definitely plan on taking advantage of it while I can before I start to slow down again!

Thanks for catching up with me!  Until the next post, have a great week everyone!!!

Elise_Is_PG