Lately...

Well, we've just been hanging out, enduring the summer heat in Alabama. We did break down and buy a little pool for our yard. Caedmon loves baths so much, we figured he'd love a dip in the pool (and it gives us something else to add to our list of fun things for Caedmon to do). Do we feel a little silly in it (especially as a family)? Maybe...ah, the things you do for your kid...

After we're done, we let Gracie get in and cool off! She's not sure what she thinks about getting into water. Baths are usually OK...but I wouldn't consider her a water-dog. Although...we went for a long walk the other day and when we got to the other side of the lake, I took her close to the edge so she could drink and she hopped right in, up to her belly and kept putting her face under. I think it'd be fun if she'd go swimming...one day.

Sometimes Dan gets to put Caedmon to bed even when he's working. I love it when the timing is right that when he comes home for dinner, Caedmon is ready for bed. He loves story time with Daddy! I like to leave them alone (and eavesdrop to the sweetness over the monitor!).
Below is a sampling of what we've purchased and are using so far with the cloth diapers (the 2 kinds of prefolds, and a bumgenius (his covers are all in the wash except the one he's wearing, sorry): I told you I'd update with details...so here we go...I have only ordered from Cotton Babies website--they have the best prices I've found and a good assortment of brands to try. They also support Christian missions. Cloth Diapering 101 has a lot of good and helpful info. These sites will also help with lingo that I've used below.

Our first order was a "try it" kit that included 6 prefolds, 1 snappi, and 2 covers. We also ordered 2 inserts to increase absorption for nighttime, an additional cover (Thirsties brand), 6 prefolds, and a bumgenius one-size diaper. Since then, we've ordered 6 more of the bumgenius diapers (we really like these...partly because they have snaps to adjust the diaper to fit from 7 to 35 lbs)!). So, that puts us at 18 diapers (doing laundry every other day). I'm hoping to order 6 more diapers (possibly fuzzibunz or thirsties) to complete our set (we are VERY happy with our choice/assortment of diapers, but figure it'd be a good idea to try others so we can extend the life of all the diapers). (Although we can definitely do with what we have until Caedmon is potty trained, with a small possibility of needing to get a couple of the covers in a bigger size). There are SO many options, but we're very pleased with what we have.

While we're at home, I mostly use the prefolds with the covers (They are definitely the cheapest way to go. My only complaint is that they are bulky--if you switch from disposables like I did, you'll notice a HUGE difference and may have to go up a size on clothing. I'm used to it now, though.) We use the bumgenius when we go out or every few diaper changes at home. At night, we fold an insert into a prefold and use a cover. We've never had a leak with any of it! (Even on the big poopies.) We use a diaper pail with a tight fitting lid (we're using the trash bags we bought for the diaper pail, then we'll evaluate if we'll buy a special washable bag) and I pretty much wash every other day. I run the load through a cold/cold cycle with 1/2 the recommended Purex free and clear detergent. Then, I run the load hot/cold with 1/2 the recommended detergent. I'll also usually run it through an extra rinse cycle. Yes, it's a lot of water used. You probably don't need to do the first cycle if it's just wet diapers. The extra rinse may be skipped, too, depending on your washer. Then I dry everything (except the thirsties cover) on warm (Every few times, though, I line dry the bumgenius. I figure they'll last longer). Hm...what else? Oh, I keep a couple ziploc bags in the diaper bag for changed-diapers on the go, although you can buy special reusable bags for that, too (we just aren't out enough to make it worth buying something special yet).

So far so good...I really like cloth diapering (and I think Caedmon does too). For those of you who made it through all that info...thanks for reading...I hope you're inspired to give it a try. You'll definitely save money...and perhaps your baby's hiney...and be a good steward of the earth's resources, too.

Below is Caedmon on the first day of our cloth diapering adventure. Cute, huh? Now that Kimberly is done, I thought that I might add to what has already been said (just so you know this is Daniel and not Caedmon). I too enjoy the adventure of Cloth Diapering. It is great, on the baby and the pocket. Not to mention that I enjoy peeking my head in on our little Oompa Loompa. Thats right, when we use the pre fold with the insert at night, Mr. Man has big pants and looks like a pear or that of an Oompa Loompa. So to sum it up, it is not bad and lets face it, your dealing with poop anyway.