Vacation: Tessa says it was "fun" we did "eating, playing, and swimming"

This past weekend we took a trip over to Sanibel Island.  We had fun, especially in retrospect... it was lots of fun.  Hard though, this traveling thing with children this age. But we faired we despite the stop and go traffic on the way there, crying children, hard to get to sleep toddler, several rooms and a not that fantastic hotel... (by the 3rd room we were satisfied)... and a LOT of togetherness, which of course is the point but also, of course, trying!  That's the way it goes though, and Brian and I are glad to have made something worth remembering.  Even more than ever, I know these times are only what we make them.

This is the adventure

Me, running, with both the girls.... really really really hard. My arms ache so bad, even once I'm done.  I am reminded of all the struggles I have worked through over the last 12 years that I've been running.  And this struggle, how freaking hot it is and how freaking heavy this stroller and car seat and toddler and infant.... well, I am doing it. I am doing it, somehow.  I hope my girls both know the power of mind over matter.  It's truly a testament to mothering, how to do what is best for you, the mother, maintaining your own person, your own self and still meet the needs of your children.  So what if I have to take a walk break and tie Tessa's shoe or stop so she can pee or swat a mosquito off Teagan's forehead.  At least I'm out there, maintaining some sense of my identity!
Our dear dear friends, Barbara and Glenn entertaining Teagan or maybe even more so, entertaining themselves!  Barbara was here at the house during Teagan's birth. We are lucky to have their love.

Tessa and her mittens. We read "Goodnight Moon"  and Tessa found these mittens and when she wears them she says "Goodnight mittens, goodnight kittens"

Cloth Diapers

I wrote this up for my best friend,Carrie who is expecting identical twin boys this winter.  Just some thoughts as a few other friends have asked me about my cloth diapers.  Washing and care to follow in a few days:

Diapers:  I use a few websites and often call to place my orders bc they are so helpful.

www.nickisdiapers.com and www.maineclothdiaper.com. 

and my good friend, Nadiyah who owns an organic baby store…

O Baby Organics

http://www.obabyorganics.biz/

 Nickisdiapers: free shipping on diaper covers!!!!

1. I would suggest using Chinese Prefolds from age new born though nearly walking. I used a few different sizes and they were/are great. Cheap and pretty easy to wash, dry. These require diaper cover (see next section) 

 http://www.maineclothdiaper.com/proddetail.php?prod=170

Sizing for Prefolds:  I would suggest getting Premie, Infant and Baby Premium as well. Premies are good for newborns of all sizes (Teagan and Tess both wore these for 2 weeks) Once they outgrow these, I use them as layering for nighttime diapers.  

Snappi brand fastners are good to keep these on instead of pins.  You will need probably 5-10 of these (Cheap) 

http://www.maineclothdiaper.com/proddetail.php?prod=3#

2. Once they get more mobile and bigger I switched to a "one size fits all, fitted diaper."   Fitted diapers require a diaper cover as well.  They have an extra insert that snaps into them to provide for more absorbency which is good for night and naps.  

These types of diapers come in a variety of sizes/fabrics. I chose to buy cotton ones, but many of my friends use a synthetic material diaper (pulls moisture better)  but they are more money and the cotton worked fine for me.  The "one size fits all"  is a good option because they snap tighter or looser depending on size of baby. So once you buy these, you don't have to keep getting more and more sizes as they grow. Tessa wore these from about 11 months-current (at night and nap).  They are expensive but totally worth it. The brand I chose was the cheapest I found (but again they are cotton and not hemp! Which I don't care about so they worked for me...) Again though there are many high-tech other kinds of fitted, one size  just more money....

I got these from a 3rd website tinytush.com (they probably carry the covers and the snappi fastners but I found that the other websites took less time for shipping) Tinytush.com is run by 1 mom and her family so it's slower to process orders.

http://www.tinytush.com/One-Size-Diapers_c_72.html

There are some different options as far as organic/not organic goes...you're call on that but I would suggest either the Tiny Tush Trim Organic or the Tiny Tush Trim regular.

If you wanted to opt for the more expensive, higher tech ones, I have used some Bum Genius Fitted, one Size and they are really  nice. But around $17.00 per diaper compared to $12.00 with Tiny Tush cotton.

3. I also have a few All in One's though I have tried many different brands and all of them leak. But I keep a few on hand just in case I run out of covers. The all in one's are diaper and cover included. Easy but leaky (i've found)

As for How Many???  If/When you call these places, ask their opinion.

I probably have the following and did pretty good with it.  I always end up getting more covers every few months as they get misplaced.

Premie Prefolds-figure 24 per baby

Infant 24 per baby or maybe 36 (you can see once babies come)

Premium 12-18 (though with these you can probably get away with less bc you will be transitioning to the fitted diapers by this time.  )  Don't order these before babies come.  Hold off on this size and just see how it's going.

Fitted diapers: 18-24 per baby  

OVERVIEW:  All cloth diapers require 3-4 washes before you can use them, so go ahead and get the prefolds before baby comes... I also got the fitted ones and liked having everything all ready (but I am neurotic like that)

Covers:

I have tried soooo many kinds of covers, in all price and cuteness categories and my favorite (the cheapest and best at keeping them dry) are the Bummis Super Whisper Pant. the Pant NOT the Wrap or Cover:

http://nickisdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=74

Get at least 8-10 per baby, per size (this brand/type runs big so I suggest getting premie size and buy them as they grow.

More on washing ect later

A Plastic Wine Glass filled with Water

Sunday Night DInner on the Boat

Here's Tessa, in a bucket.  Funny.




Sunday, my parents, Colleen and Alain and Bri, I, and the girls went out on the boat for dinner.  How lucky it feels to be on the water.  As you can see, happiness was all around us.