Monthly Archives: Nov 2011

Motherhood Personal Posts

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Neurotic Tree

I love things to be clean, neat & organized. My owner’s manuals (and recipes) are in page protectors inside binders, divided by category tabs. I love an excuse to use my label maker, and I can’t help but drool over beautifully organized closets and pantries. Give me a shopping spree in an office supply store/container store and I’d be happy as a clam.

IMG_0043

So, I couldn’t help but laugh when my son started lining up his cars! My husband would make fun of me because I like to eat my food in a certain order, and when I have something with colors/flavors (Skittles, Mike & Ikes) he would watch me and try to predict which I would eat next. Would I keep the colors even, or would I eat a flavor I like least, first? (I don’t do this anymore because I don’t get to eat candy any more, my kids would just take it, LOL.)

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When my son did this to his Annie’s chocolate/vanilla bunny cookies/crackers, I had to take a picture & send it to my husband.

Now if only he will turn out to be more “organizer” and less “pack rat” (like my daughter)…hee hee!

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Naturepedic Changing Pad Winner

Naturepedic winner

207 people entered this giveaway. The winning entry is #174, which is Kim McConahay. Congratulations Kim, I’m sending you an email so you can claim your prize!

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Cloth Diapers Giveaway Microfiber One Size Diapers Pocket Diapers Review Snap Closure

Diaper Rite One Size Pocket Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 12/6) U.S./Canada

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 1

I think most people have heard of Diaper Rite prefolds, but now Diaper Rite (brought to you by Diaper Junction) has one-size pocket cloth diapers too!

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 2 snap closures Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 3 front snap config

This incredibly affordable diaper has snap closures, a waterproof TPU outer, and stay-dry suedecloth inner. The diapers retail for just $9.95 each! There is also a version with a Bamboo inner available for $11.95. They are one-size via a snap down rise, and are estimated to fit babies from 8-35 pounds.

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 4 leg elastic Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 5 pocket
Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 6 2 inserts

Each diaper comes with both a large and a small microfiber insert.

Here is the small setting measured folded and stretched:

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 7 small folded Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 8 small stretched

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 9 small front Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 10 small side
Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 11 small back

Medium:

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 12 medium folded Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 13 medium stretched

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 14 medium front Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 15 medium side
Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 16 medium back

Large:

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 17 large folded Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 18 large stretched

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 19 large front Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 20 large side
Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 21 large back

After I initially washed the diaper, part of the large insert came loose. It looked like the top layer wasn’t caught when it was sewn. I did contact Diaper Junction and it seems it was just a fluke, no one else has reported that problem. It happens, and I know Diaper Junction would replace it right away if it happened to you, so don’t let that turn you off from trying the diapers.

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 22 insert

My son is 2 1/2 and about 28 pounds. He fit quite well in the medium setting, and he has lots of room to grow in this diaper.

Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 24 front2 Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 23 front
Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 25 back Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 26 side
Diaper Rite Pocket Diaper 27 side 2

I had no trouble getting a good fit, and we didn’t experience any leaks! With 18 colors (mine is “Timberwolf”) and such a reasonable price tag, you will want to grab a few!

Giveaway: One winner will receive a Diaper Rite one-size pocket diaper in his/her choice of color (ARV $9.95.) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form.

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Cloth Diapering Mailbox Mondays

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 11/28/11 – Cringe Worthy Moments with Cloth

cringe worth moments with #clothdiapers via @chgdiapers

Mailbox Mondays is cloth diaper advice time. Each Monday, I answer a reader submitted question, and ask my readers to weigh in with their thoughts!

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Stephanie says:

When you switched to cloth diapers, we’re there ever moments that you wanted to go back to sposies? Has there ever been a super ick moment that still makes you cringe thinking about it?

Ha ha, yes. Well…sort of. There have been moments that I sure wished I could just ball that puppy up and throw it away. Namely after my son has gone on raisin, mandarin orange or fruit juice binges! Earlier this year, we all passed around a stomach virus, and there were a few diapers that were rough on my sensitive, newly pregnant stomach!

Still, though I sure did wish I could just make those dirty diapers disappear, any thought of sposies was fleeting. Why? Because if any number of those messes happened in disposables, I would have been throwing away the diaper, but washing pants, shirts, socks, shoes, car seat covers, hair…you get my drift. There was no way the ick would have been contained!!

Have you ever had a cringe-worthy moment with cloth? Did it make you want to switch back to disposables?

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All In One Diapers Cloth Diapers Giveaway One Size Diapers Review Snap Closure Velcro/Aplix Closure

Bumgenius Freetime All-in-One One-Size Cloth Diaper Review

Bumgenius Freetime 1

I was on pins & needles when Bumgenius announced their new products/colors. Although AIO diapers aren’t my favorite, I had to pre-order a Bumgenius Freetime one-size AIO cloth diaper. I had to. I’m sure you understand. 😉 I chose the new color, mirror.

Bumgenius Freetime 2

Since the Bumgenius Sized AIO diaper was discontinued (except the newborn AIO), the only Bumgenius AIO option was the elemental organic AIO. So, no option for those of us who prefer a stay-dry inner and/or hook & loop closures (I also prefer the encased leg elastic of the 4.0s and the old sized AIOs.)

Bumgenius Freetime 3 closures Bumgenius Freetime 4 vs 40 rear

I like hook & loop diapers, but the 4.0 H&L is the first that has held up well for me. I don’t have anything against snap diapers, but my husband really prefers the Velcro, and will dig through the pile to find one. I know he’ll never complain about me buying another diaper as long as it’s Velcro, tee-hee!! The Freetime has the same hook & loop that the 4.0 diapers have. (It also has the easily replaceable elastic the 4.0 has.)

In fact, while we’re comparing, let’s go ahead and see how they look compared to the 4.0 pocket diapers.

Bumgenius Freetime 5 vs 40 front Bumgenius Freetime 6 vs 40 elastic

Bumgenius Freetime 7 vs 40 front flat Bumgenius Freetime 8 vs 40 overall

Bumgenius Freetime 9 vs 40 back Bumgenius Freetime 10 vs 40 side

The Freetime and the 4.0 pocket diaper shells are very much the same as far as shape, size, cut, fit and so forth. (Stretchy tabs, available in snap or hook & loop closures, one size via snap down rise, leg elastic etc.) You can see a few subtle differences as far as the PUL at the front & back of the diapers.

Bumgenius Freetime 11 soakers Bumgenius Freetime 12 soakers folded

Obviously, the big difference is that while the Bumgenius 4.0 is a pocket diaper, the Freetime is an AIO. One of the things I dislike most about an AIO is how difficult it can be to get the soakers clean. I tend to turn my sized AIO inside out to wash it! The Freetime has two microfiber flap soakers topped with microfleece; one sewn at the front & one at the back (they look a lot like the stay-dry flip inserts.)

Bumgenius Freetime 13 folded up front Bumgenius Freetime 14 folded middle
Bumgenius Freetime 15 folded more in middle

The soakers have lines to help guide you in folding them. You can fold them all sorts of ways to get the maximum absorbency where you really need it. There’s also an extra layer of microfiber terry sewn into the shell. The shell inner and the soakers are topped with microfleece to keep your baby’s bottom dry.

These are the same size as the Bumgenius 4.0s, so if you like their fit, you will probably like the fit of the Freetime.

Here is the small measured folded & stretched (not an exact science of course!!)

Bumgenius Freetime 16 small folded Bumgenius Freetime 17 small stretched

Bumgenius Freetime 18 small Bumgenius Freetime 19 small side
Bumgenius Freetime 20 small back

Medium:

Bumgenius Freetime 21 medium folded Bumgenius Freetime 22 medium stretched

Bumgenius Freetime 23 medium front Bumgenius Freetime 24 medium side
Bumgenius Freetime 26 medium back

Large:

Bumgenius Freetime 27 large folded Bumgenius Freetime 28 large stretched

Bumgenius Freetime 29 large front Bumgenius Freetime 30 large side
Bumgenius Freetime 31 large back

My son is right around 28 pounds, and the medium Freetime fit him the same way the 4.0 medium fits him.

Bumgenius Freetime 32 medium on 28 lb baby Bumgenius Freetime 33 medium on 28 lb 2 and a half year old

You’ve probably noticed (or you will now!) that my “modeling” photos aren’t perfect. Often the diaper is closed slightly crooked, is a little bunchy etc. etc. It’s not because I’m lazy or don’t want to make the diaper look nice. In actuality, it’s because I am changing a 2 1/2 year old who is usually moving while I do it! This is just how the diapers go on, and I want to test them as I’m likely to use them vs. trying to hold him down for 2 minutes to make the diaper look perfect, because that’s just not realistic for us!

Bumgenius Freetime 29 side Bumgenius Freetime 34 back

I’ve never been disappointed by a Cottonbabies product, and I’m not disappointed with this one. Still, I wouldn’t buy another one. I, personally, find a pre-stuffed pocket diaper just as easy (if not easier) than an AIO like this, and stuffing the diapers takes about the same amount of time as making sure the soakers are folded properly. At $19.95 each, the Freetime costs $2 more than the 4.0 pocket diaper, and I love that you can easily treat/bleach the pocket inserts separately and/or replace them if needed. You can also toss the inserts in the dryer & hang the shells to dry. With an AIO, you have to either machine dry the whole thing & risk a bit of pre-mature wear & tear on the shells, or wait a bit longer for the whole thing to air dry.

FTC compliance: I purchased the pictured items at normal retail prices. I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

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