More On Cloth Diapering

I love Joey-Bunz!

We were having leaking issues with some of our cloth diapers, and rather than ditch those diapers, I wanted to see if an additional insert would help. We were using just one microfiber insert in the diaper and Nolan would leak through after about an hour. I'm not sure if it's just because the insert's ability to absorb was limited or if Nolan is a really heavy wetter. Either way, we were getting a little frustrated about this. I did some research, again with the help of the Diaper Jungle forum, and heard all good things about the Joey-Bunz inserts. They are hemp/cotton jersey inserts made by Baby Kicks. After using the medium size Joey-Bunz now for about two weeks, the verdict is in. They are great! I still use the microfiber insert that came with the diaper, but layer it with the Joey-Bunz. We can now go at least three hours, some times longer, without any leaking. I also love that they are so trim. They add hardly any bulk to my diapers. Next I'd like to try layering two Joey-Bunz to see if this is even more effective.

Joey-Bunz Cloth Diaper Insert

Happy, Healthy 6 Month Old

Our Silly Little Boy

Can You See Those 2 Front Teeth?!


On the 21st, Nolan turned 6 months old! We can hardly believe it. He has his two bottom teeth coming in now and he's a pro at sitting...he only topples over when he's reaching for some distant toy. We went to the doctor last week for a check up and his next round of vaccines, and the doctor told us everything looks great. He's gaining weight fine and his length is good, although he's no longer in the 90th percentile for length like last visit. He weighs 16 pounds, 7 ounces now...no wonder everyone keeps commenting on how heavy he is!! Dr. Williams said that we can start giving him some finger foods like Cheerios and that we can offer more of a variety with the fruits and veggies. Next up is sweet potatoes. Yum! The only bad news for me is that Dr. Williams suggests letting Nolan fuss some at bedtime to teach him to fall asleep on his own. We usually have to bounce or nurse him to sleep. I know, I've read that that's a no-no before, but I'm really a wimp when it comes to letting him cry. Maybe I could sleep over somewhere else and Ryan can do the whole cry it out thing?! (Update: We've since tried letting him cry some the last two nights and it's gone fairly well...I only cried a little, and Nolan went to sleep after 50 minutes the first night and 30 minutes the second night) Nolie also makes a new sound...buh, buh, buh. He really puts a lot of effort into bringing his lips together and getting that sound out. He's so entertaining!

I haven't been very prompt on posting pictures here lately, so here are a few from the last couple weeks of Nolie and the people in his life.

A Proud Grandma Teri

G-Papi and Nolan

These Cups are the Coolest!

Why I Love Cloth Diapering

We've been using cloth diapers on my son since he was about three weeks old, and so far we've had a great experience with them. We have about half of our diapers from Diapers by Deb. Her diapers are so cute and you can get them personalized in so many ways! Our other diapers are Bum Genius, which are great for overnight. We also use cloth wipes and a natural wipe solution. We love it! My son hasn't had any diaper rash since we started him on cloth. I like that his skin isn't coming into contact with harmful chemicals that do who knows what to him. I love that we throw away so little as a result of diapering. Finally, we will save so much money by using reusable diapers instead of disposables. This weekend I found this great article, entitled "3 Great Reasons to Choose Cloth Diapers," through Simple Mom's blog. This is just a great summary of the three main reasons to choose cloth diapers over disposables. I find it to be very convincing.

Of all the other families we know personally, only one other uses cloth diapers. I definitely feel like I'm in the minority in my circle of family and friends. I've had so many people ask me questions about cloth diapering...how it works, whether I have to dunk poopy diapers in the toilet, how expensive they are and so on. While I don't have a lot of fellow cloth diapering mom's to talk to in person, I do get to communicate with several other women who cloth diaper their children online though on the Diaper Jungle forum. Just the other morning, my husband pointed out that they were doing a big feature on cloth diapering in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, our local paper. To check out the article, click here. What a surprise to see this! Apparently cloth diapering is really getting popular.

Do you cloth diaper your children? Do you think that cloth diapering will continue to grow in popularity?

Training Walks

Grandma Jayne, Kristen, Chayton, Grandpa Ken and Nolan

This year I got the idea to participate in the Breast Cancer 3 Day, which is 3 day, 60 mile fundraising walk for breast cancer research, treatment and education. Kirstin, Jayne and Kristen are all walking with me (there are ten of us in total), and we've gotten a good start on our training already. The reason I mention this in my blog is that Ryan and Nolan have gone on just about every walk with us! For a couple of the walks, Ryan met us halfway with Nolan in the stroller. Last week we walked about 5 miles (no GPS, so we can't be sure of the actual distance) with Grandpa Ken, Grandma Jayne, Jake, Kristen, Reggie, Ryan, Chayton, Nolan and a pack of dogs. What a fun time! I wonder what the other bikers on the trail thought of such a big group of people and animals.

Nolan sat in the stroller for the first hour, just looking around and chewing on his pacifier attacher. Then he got a little antsy and we all took turns carrying him back. He looked so cute in his little sun hat :)

Grandpa Ken and Nolan

Another funny incident was when Pika, Kristen's pug, started to get tired. She was a little trooper and kept up for quite a while, but eventually she just started to lay down in every patch of shade along the pavement. Someone got the idea to put her in the carrying basket below the Chayton's stroller, but Pika just wouldn't have it. She'd jump out every time we put her in there. Finally, because she was so tired and really just needed a rest, Grandpa Ken took Pika's leash and tied it so that she couldn't get out of the basket. She looked so funny just sitting there and panting. It got the job done though because soon her breathing returned to normal and she found a way to hop out and jog along with us again.

Pika Hitching A Ride

Visiting with Grandpa Garth

Wow, that was almost a week ago already! We had a fabulous time with Grandpa Garth (I know, it still sounds weird to say that) last week. His plane was a little delayed on Monday, so we had to get going right away to the Progressive building to pick up my car. By the way, I think my car looks even better now than it did before the accident! After that we headed back home and had just a little time before Kirstin and Ryan got home. Ryan, Nolan and I left for the Twins game with G-papi and Grandma Teri (if you get me pics of this I'll post them) while Kirstin, Irene and Grandpa Garth took Frank to the dog park. Irene was the brave one who picked up the poo...but Grandpa Garth had to do it later in the week! After the game, we spent another few hours chatting at our place. It's so great having family all in one spot and catching up!

Tuesday and Wednesday I worked and Grandpa found things to keep him busy (tennis with Wilk and lunch with Diedrich). Wednesday night Grandpa went to salsa, which has become a regular activity for him when he visits us. Thursday Grandpa, Nolan, Frank and I went to the dog park again. Later that night we all went over to G'ma Sara's and G'pa Mario's for chili and Nintendo Wii. It was fun seeing everyone get up there and trying out the Wii...Kirstin is a natural snowboarder and stepper. Diedrich and Grandpa Garth picked up tennis pretty quickly too! All in all this was a great visit because it gave me a chance to really talk to my dad and he got to see how much Nolan has changed these last few months. Here two pictures from his time here:

Proud Grandpa

Future Guitar Player?

Nolan is a Rollin'

That's right! Even though Nolan has rolled over from his tummy to back a few times before, today he really figured out how to do it. I've put him on his tummy over 8 times and each time he rolls over. I think the key for him is to use his baby back arch to propel himself. What a thrilling thing to watch. Enjoy the video!

Great Article

This article was posted by someone at the Diaper Jungle, a forum that focuses on cloth diapering and parenting. I think it is a great piece. As a new mom, I am definitely trying to do my best to raise a healthy and happy son. At times though, things can get overwhelming...clothes to fold, diapers to wash, dishes to wash, baby to wash, spit up to wipe, and so on. However, as this article reminds us, without the extra work that children require, we would also not have the blessings that they bring us. Enjoy!

FROM THE NEWSLETTER @ TEACH MAGAZINE http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001jYqn93s1IRBpEjsX5YFIOw%3D%3D I'm a mom like you; I get behind in my housework, wonder what is for dinner tonight when I am the one who is supposed to know, don't want to do what I am supposed to do, and sometimes wonder if public school might be a better option than me. In Proverbs 14:4, you will find a pivotal verse on attitudes, and this verse always makes me smile.

This verse is one I am sure God included for moms who get worn out and wonder how they are going to keep going: "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest."

Or, as the poetic King James Version puts it:

"Where no oxen are, the crib is clean."

So, when we are frustrated and think, "I have taught them a million times to put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher," or "What in the world is he doing with every piece of my silverware in the bedroom? I shouldn't even have to tell him ..." So, when we think like this God is saying, "Chin up, Honey. If you didn't have any children you wouldn't have any mess."

He is reminding us that without oxen there is no manure and I guess you could say the same about children and dirty diapers. We don't want to complain about our blessings. The messes are a result and a part of the blessing!

Have you been thinking negative thoughts, complaining about things that aren't working, things that are hurting, things that need fixing, problems that need solving, or jobs that need doing? Maybe you've forgotten that the reason you've got a problem is because you've got a gift from God!

You've been given blessings, opportunities, years, people who love you, people who look to you, people who need you, and you've been given work to do.

On days when my list of problems and pressures is multiplying, I need to read Psalm 16:5-6 to help me restore my "big picture" perspective.

"Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance."

You decide where you want to focus and what you're going to let determine your attitude. You can complain about the manure or you can be glad you've got an ox. You can gripe about the glitches or you can give thanks for the gifts. You can be negative because there's a mess or you can be positive because that mess is the result of progress. And, as any highway construction people know, you can't have progress without having a mess.

Where's your attitude coming from right now? Is it coming from your load or your Lord? Your burdens or your blessings? The mess from the wrapping paper or the gift from God that was wrapped in it? Take a step back. Look past the garbage that's right in front of you and look at the goodness of God that's all around you!