... in nothing but cloth!!!
So far, so good! It's been fabulous to be disposable free - in wipe and diaper categories, that is. We've even been entertaining the idea of going paper towel free ... I am entertaining the idea of using Mom's serger when I'm home in June to create a bunch of "Jesus Cloths," as my sister calls them - undershirts, t-shirts, recycled, reusable clothes - to keep on hand for cleaning house, wiping up spills, sanitizing counters after cooking, etc ... I think the challenge comes with keeping them easily accessible ... which is what I have discovered with cloth wipes and dipes ...
After 9 days in cloth dipes at night, I've fallen in love with our ONE Bum Genius pocket diaper .. mostly because he slept thru the night in that diaper .. and it seemed to protect him from the wetness best .. The thing with the GroVia diapers is that Thomas seems to "sit" in the wetness.
That being said .. we are currently slathering on coconut oil like wild people .. onto his little diaper-area-privates .. referring to it as his, "coconut oil massage" .. because of the terrible irritation he has in his diaper-area .. I don't know if it's risidual from the antibiotics and diarrhea he's been combating for an entire month .. or a result of the extra wetness at night ..
So here I sit .. and a crossroads .. should I trade out our 3-4 GroVia all-in-one diapers (bought just for night time ... which I don't love because of the poo factor ...) in favor of Bum Genius pockets for nighttime ... or should I take a week break from our 21-day challenge ... to treat his rash with barrier creams, Lotrimin (could it be yeast?? but it's not spreading??), and a bit of extra dryness? I'm already changing him every 2 hours and 1-2 times at night (depending on when he wakes) ...
You could say I am at a cloth loss ... Thoughts?? I am really in need of ideas here ...
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
... just ... listen ...
Springtime has sprung here .. not when the tulips pop out of the earth, because that is pretty early here in Northern Indiana .. but when the frogs and peepers amp up their song. It truly is amazing. Check it out -
Monday, April 30, 2012
21 Days to Change
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| Baby Gap Jammies ... On Sale ... Fabulous! 12 month "Big Boy" jammies <3 |
So our change challenge commitment is to fully embrace cloth wipes and diapers! It was challenging in itself to choose something about our lifestyle, or my lifestyle, that I wanted to embrace fully, and daily, in an effort to break an old habit ... but once I realized our stash of disposable diapers had run dry - one pack lasts us about 3-5 weeks - I decided the choice was obvious ... Cloth Diapers!!I had recently bought some GroVia all-in-ones to use at bedtime ... mostly because they are easier, slimmer, and a general curiosity of mine ... and I've noticed that lately ... Thomas isn't such a heavy wetter ... In the last month we've had such a battle with antibiotics, diarrhea and ear infections that it's been "easier" to wear disposables - we can use traditional barrier creams, throw away the blech of a blow out, and quickly, easily, toss him into a new diaper as needed ... but it's the blow out diapers we've been having first thing in the morning since our struggle ... every morning he's got a leaky diaper ... gross ... and it takes away from our cozy-snuggly-just-woke-up-nursing-time in our bed ... so what better to contain the blow out? Cloth diapers. They are amazingly great for containing that mess ... so why not embrace cloth at night?
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| Bath time - "If only I could reach Mom's shampoo..." |
Chew Chew Chew
With teeth comes random chewing. Thomas' short list of random things to chew -
1. Toes and feet - you could be standing, sitting, laying down, on the couch, on the floor ... and he will attempt to chew your toes and feet ... be warned!
2. Keyboard Trays - he will stand atop something if given the chance .. and chew the keyboard tray ..
3. The Crib Rail ..!!!
Other things are less random - his silicone spoons, the nook, a wash cloth, your cell phone ... toys? No way - he doesn't chew toys. He hardly plays with them! .. unless you or I are playing with them .. hehe =)
The crib rail chewing was becoming a problem. I would love to be able to keep using his crib ... until he's ready for a big boy bed, until baby #2 comes along, until it falls apart, you know - which ever comes first. Combined with that fact are the health issues with gnawing on varnish, as an old high school friend of mine pointed out being an issue for her little guy!!
... I had 2 options ... head off to Babies 'R Us to pick up the plastic crib rail cover ... or hit the sewing machine and use what scraps I had from Thomas' Lily & Will Bunny Hill Design quilt and crib skirt ... guess which I chose?? ;-)
I ransacked my sewing bins and pulled out all of my extra fabric ... and sure enough, I had the perfect amount of 2 fabrics to create my crib rail cover ... combined with my recent investment in the snap-gun-thing from Babyville Boutique for cloth diaper cover creation (and swim diapers!) ... I was all set to go forward with a project with out a single trip to the fabric store. Score!
Ryan's had a big week here - preparing for his first post doc interview up in Michigan - so I had to dig into my project with Whirl-Wind-Thomas playing in the bedroom. That, and it was pretty close to bedtime ... so being upstairs in a new-ish play space definitely kept him entertained. Lately he's truly enjoyed holding on to things that are "just his size" - a great example of this is the joy he had in knowing that he could carry around a small case of cuff links in his tiny fist while "Dad" shopped for interview clothes on Sunday! What better to keep him entertained than a spool of thread or two?
He also enjoyed playing with my cell phone ... once he got a hold of it ... we were listening to some Pandora Radio (Florence + the Machine, anyone?) ... so grabbing that little piece of technology was like empowering him with his own boombox. After awhile, he figured out if he stuffed it in his dad's sock drawer, it was muted ... but if he pulled it out ... it was a normal volume again ... needless to say he got some good practice in opening and closing drawers ;-)
Our entire bedroom is baby proofed ... so I don't mind letting him tear through it for a bit while I work. I do, however, keep a close eye on him ... because you never know what you may find!
Here is how I put together the crib rail cover -
I measured the top rail - it was approximately 52" across ... so I knew I should cut my fabric to be at least 52" across. If it was a bit short, no big deal, because Thomas isn't chewing on the very edges ... just the middle section. I then measured the circumference of the rail - approximately 5" - and figured I should cut my fabric at about 6" give or take. After monkeying with my fabric, I would have preferred to CUT at 6" ... but to be safe ... I went with 7" ... and I am so glad that I did because I had the perfect amount of space to place my snaps!!
End dimensions - 2 rectangles of fabric pieced together to equal 52" x 7" and 1 piece of bamboo blended batting (naturally somewhat antibiotic - also found in my stash of fabric) a bit smaller just by nature of how it was shaped (hand cut v. rotary cut) and how it was pieced together (I zigzag stitched to avoid having to turn a seam).
I placed my 2 prints right side together with the batting on top (easier to manage than having it snag on the feed dogs from time to time) .. and sewed a 1/4" seam allowance .. up a long side, along a short side, down a long side .. before flipping it right side out. It is beneficial to have your batting stitched in a bit because it'll help hold it down in the long run (through washings, etc. because you know baby can't wait to get his mouth on something new in texture - hahah). If you are so inclined, it may also be beneficial to quilt along the strip ... but ... I didn't want to mess with my very directional fabric ... =)
Once you've got both right sides out, press your rectangle flat, and press your raw edge under at least a 1/4" ... I made the mistake of going just under 1/4" and had to hand stitch my pressed edge together. Oops! I was in a hurry =) hahah
Stitch (a decorative stitch, if you desire) along the edge of your rectangle to help hold things flat. Adhere snaps where you see fit. I found it helpful to enlist the help of my husband to help hold the cover along the crib rail and mark where I wanted my snaps since the number of openings did not allow for an even distribution of snaps like my mathematical mind would have liked. Not only did he help hold it steady, but I was able to talk through my snap markings (while Thomas then played in his bedrooms - books, wipes - oh yea, he likes to empty the wipes container - what's more fun than pulling out a wipe, only for one more to appear?).
Voila ..!! You've created a crib rail cover ..!!
Yes, I will make these to order ... and Yes ... I will make a crib skirt to order (and match ..!) as well! Let me know if you have questions ... or if you are curious about a crib skirt or rail cover for your little one!
1. Toes and feet - you could be standing, sitting, laying down, on the couch, on the floor ... and he will attempt to chew your toes and feet ... be warned!
2. Keyboard Trays - he will stand atop something if given the chance .. and chew the keyboard tray ..
3. The Crib Rail ..!!!
 |
| Mmmm crib rail .. numm! |
The crib rail chewing was becoming a problem. I would love to be able to keep using his crib ... until he's ready for a big boy bed, until baby #2 comes along, until it falls apart, you know - which ever comes first. Combined with that fact are the health issues with gnawing on varnish, as an old high school friend of mine pointed out being an issue for her little guy!!
... I had 2 options ... head off to Babies 'R Us to pick up the plastic crib rail cover ... or hit the sewing machine and use what scraps I had from Thomas' Lily & Will Bunny Hill Design quilt and crib skirt ... guess which I chose?? ;-)
I ransacked my sewing bins and pulled out all of my extra fabric ... and sure enough, I had the perfect amount of 2 fabrics to create my crib rail cover ... combined with my recent investment in the snap-gun-thing from Babyville Boutique for cloth diaper cover creation (and swim diapers!) ... I was all set to go forward with a project with out a single trip to the fabric store. Score!
Ryan's had a big week here - preparing for his first post doc interview up in Michigan - so I had to dig into my project with Whirl-Wind-Thomas playing in the bedroom. That, and it was pretty close to bedtime ... so being upstairs in a new-ish play space definitely kept him entertained. Lately he's truly enjoyed holding on to things that are "just his size" - a great example of this is the joy he had in knowing that he could carry around a small case of cuff links in his tiny fist while "Dad" shopped for interview clothes on Sunday! What better to keep him entertained than a spool of thread or two?
 |
| I s'pose next I'll be hemming the crib skirt ;-) |
Our entire bedroom is baby proofed ... so I don't mind letting him tear through it for a bit while I work. I do, however, keep a close eye on him ... because you never know what you may find!
Here is how I put together the crib rail cover -
I measured the top rail - it was approximately 52" across ... so I knew I should cut my fabric to be at least 52" across. If it was a bit short, no big deal, because Thomas isn't chewing on the very edges ... just the middle section. I then measured the circumference of the rail - approximately 5" - and figured I should cut my fabric at about 6" give or take. After monkeying with my fabric, I would have preferred to CUT at 6" ... but to be safe ... I went with 7" ... and I am so glad that I did because I had the perfect amount of space to place my snaps!!
End dimensions - 2 rectangles of fabric pieced together to equal 52" x 7" and 1 piece of bamboo blended batting (naturally somewhat antibiotic - also found in my stash of fabric) a bit smaller just by nature of how it was shaped (hand cut v. rotary cut) and how it was pieced together (I zigzag stitched to avoid having to turn a seam).I placed my 2 prints right side together with the batting on top (easier to manage than having it snag on the feed dogs from time to time) .. and sewed a 1/4" seam allowance .. up a long side, along a short side, down a long side .. before flipping it right side out. It is beneficial to have your batting stitched in a bit because it'll help hold it down in the long run (through washings, etc. because you know baby can't wait to get his mouth on something new in texture - hahah). If you are so inclined, it may also be beneficial to quilt along the strip ... but ... I didn't want to mess with my very directional fabric ... =)
Once you've got both right sides out, press your rectangle flat, and press your raw edge under at least a 1/4" ... I made the mistake of going just under 1/4" and had to hand stitch my pressed edge together. Oops! I was in a hurry =) hahah
Stitch (a decorative stitch, if you desire) along the edge of your rectangle to help hold things flat. Adhere snaps where you see fit. I found it helpful to enlist the help of my husband to help hold the cover along the crib rail and mark where I wanted my snaps since the number of openings did not allow for an even distribution of snaps like my mathematical mind would have liked. Not only did he help hold it steady, but I was able to talk through my snap markings (while Thomas then played in his bedrooms - books, wipes - oh yea, he likes to empty the wipes container - what's more fun than pulling out a wipe, only for one more to appear?).
Voila ..!! You've created a crib rail cover ..!!
Yes, I will make these to order ... and Yes ... I will make a crib skirt to order (and match ..!) as well! Let me know if you have questions ... or if you are curious about a crib skirt or rail cover for your little one!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Sew Fun!
Well .. I finally finished the quilt I blogged about back in err .. January! .. and by finished .. I mean I finished the top and have yet to quilt the thing, let alone BIND it! =) Enjoy!
I was thinking .. and talking with Margaret .. if I were to quilt it "In the Ditch," as they say .. but only go up-down-up-down-up-down diagonally along err .. every other row .. on the back .. it would look like a chevron pattern .. which is very trendy right now. Might be fun? I will probably back it in muslin to save some cash. =)
In other sewing-related news, I am thrilled to share that I made my first swim diaper today! It was exceptionally easy, thanks to a fabulous tutorial on a blog called SewMamaSew! Here is the link - Aquarius Swimmer ~ Swim Diaper Tutorial. It was my first time working with fold over elastic (FOE) .. and as you can see in my pictures - the leg holes are a bit uneven ... in part because of how unequally I stretched the FOE. I am excited to dig into my next swim diaper to experiment with the FOE a bit. I'll have to snap a photo of Thomas modelling the diaper in the morning, as he is fast asleep at the moment. =)
I think with attempt number two I will do a bit more pinning along the elastic to match it up (in length) to the sections of diaper that are elasticized ... =) It was fun, and it is very cute!!
I was thinking .. and talking with Margaret .. if I were to quilt it "In the Ditch," as they say .. but only go up-down-up-down-up-down diagonally along err .. every other row .. on the back .. it would look like a chevron pattern .. which is very trendy right now. Might be fun? I will probably back it in muslin to save some cash. =)
In other sewing-related news, I am thrilled to share that I made my first swim diaper today! It was exceptionally easy, thanks to a fabulous tutorial on a blog called SewMamaSew! Here is the link - Aquarius Swimmer ~ Swim Diaper Tutorial. It was my first time working with fold over elastic (FOE) .. and as you can see in my pictures - the leg holes are a bit uneven ... in part because of how unequally I stretched the FOE. I am excited to dig into my next swim diaper to experiment with the FOE a bit. I'll have to snap a photo of Thomas modelling the diaper in the morning, as he is fast asleep at the moment. =)
I think with attempt number two I will do a bit more pinning along the elastic to match it up (in length) to the sections of diaper that are elasticized ... =) It was fun, and it is very cute!!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
I cannot stop tickling this child ...
... so stinkin cute =) He has been in such a mood lately - a little grumpy, a little discontent, but always up for a tickle and laugh .. I think we played about 10 rounds of this game, so we all had a little fun. ;-)
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
A Few New Tricks ...
I've been hoarding videos of Thomas on my computer for about a month now ... I finally plugged in the Flip camera and discovered 2 videos of him showing off some of his new tricks!
The first is from March 26 .. when he first discovered the stairs .. and easily began to climb them .. within a week or so he was climbing all the way up the steps by himself (with one of us behind him every step of the way...) - mostly to get to Otto - his 4-legged bff ;-)
... don't mind my language in the video, either ... hahah
Our 2nd video is just a week old. Thomas came down with a snotty cold .. so I started to teach him to blow his nose .. It's pretty stinkin cute to see him huff and puff with his nose scrunched =)
I can't believe my tiny baby is 10 months old. Watching him grow up has been absolutely spectacular and awe-inspiring ... he is fabulous, terrific, beautiful, affectionate, intelligent, social, precious ... /end ;-)
The first is from March 26 .. when he first discovered the stairs .. and easily began to climb them .. within a week or so he was climbing all the way up the steps by himself (with one of us behind him every step of the way...) - mostly to get to Otto - his 4-legged bff ;-)
... don't mind my language in the video, either ... hahah
Our 2nd video is just a week old. Thomas came down with a snotty cold .. so I started to teach him to blow his nose .. It's pretty stinkin cute to see him huff and puff with his nose scrunched =)
I can't believe my tiny baby is 10 months old. Watching him grow up has been absolutely spectacular and awe-inspiring ... he is fabulous, terrific, beautiful, affectionate, intelligent, social, precious ... /end ;-)
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