Ipad skin link

Just bought a great skin for my iPad 2 on SkinAT.cc
It's the giving tree!

Cloth Diapering - Courtney Style

Ok, I have had a bunch of questions, now that I am having another baby, how I do cloth diapers.  I will first say, I don't know everything or even close about cloth diapers and this is my way, customized to my wants and needs so please keep that in mind.

Here is the best explanation and list I can get you although this will probably still leave some questions and it might be helpful to come to my house, if possible, or ask me, to see some of the things and how they work before you order.

First I use the gdiapers.  I have converted all mine to snap closures (removed the Velcro) to avoid the piling in the wash.  They do offer disposable inserts or you can buy cloth inserts. I actually commissioned someone to sew inserts for me (since I don't sew a lick) based off the dimensions of their cloth inserts. If you sew it might be best for you to make them.  I will try to post a picture of mine so you can see the stitching. They did special stitching in the middle to help keep the flow in. Ok, so you need to start with a base of gdiapers though, this should include about 12 to 24 diapers (depending on how often you want to do wash). They should come with the plastic liners already when you buy them. The insert options will be up to you. They are weight rated so depending on how much baby weighs will determine which size you get. I never got to the larges with Reagan she went from smalls to mediums (lasted a long time) to potty training.

On top of the cloth inserts I use these liners (I refused to do the spray and wash poop diapers) – they wick the moisture through to the cloth insert and the poopies stay on top so you can just remove the liner and either toss or flush them (they are flushable).  This helps to keep the messy ones so that when changing the diapers most often all you have to change is the insert and not the outside cover every time! These are the ones I use. http://www.diapers.com/p/kushies-flushable-biodegradable-diaper-liners-1-roll-6472

Next you will need wet bags. These are bags that are machine washable and made to go in your diaper bag, car, diaper pail to hold the dirtied diapers until you get home or wash time.  I have a medium size one for my diaper bag, a large one for longer trips and I have one I got on etsy.com custom made for my pail.  I much prefer the zippered kind to the pull string ones to help contain odor and moisture although my one for my diaper pail is pull string. This one is similar to what I have in my diaper bag. http://www.diapers.com/p/itzy-ritzy-wet-happened-zippered-wet-bag-hollywood-blue-26235 Keep in mind these wetbags can sometimes be found for better prices we will need to keep an eye out. Look on etsy.com for zippered wet bag. I use these even now for Reagan’s potty training when she has an accident or when I take the kids swimming etc., anytime we have wet clothes.  They are worth investing in.

I also use cloth wipes. There are a variety you can get, my favorite are from etsy.com for price and quantity. You can either buy or make solution to spray on them when using or just use a spray bottle with plain water. I usually add just a tiny bit of baby wash to my mix. Any spray bottle will do. Or you can find a number of options on diapers.com or etsy.com here is one http://www.etsy.com/listing/75737200/wipe-solution-spray-for-cloth-wipes?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=spray&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fchildren

If you are planning on having another baby I would invest in the more neutral color diapers….I got lucky that I am having another girl because I have a lot of pink, purple etc.  If this had been a boy poor guy would be in those diapers.  This is an investment for not only for your current child but your next one(s) and then to resell on ebay!  You will get some of your money back as they do keep their value if taken care of.

Also, you will need to use non scented, no dye detergent. My favorite to use are these (I actually now use them for all our laundry) http://www.amazon.com/Dropps-Laundry-Scent-Enzyme-Free-20-load/dp/B001N447OM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1324574641&sr=8-4

 

This is also a good site for the wetbags and a few other items to look at. You can use code checklist to get 10% off your entire order.

www.kellyscloset.com

It sounds like a lot but once you get your system together and going it is actually pretty simple. One other hint, I did buy one package of the disposable inserts for the gdiapers so I can always have one or two on hand in case we are out and about and I need fast changing option or don’t have my wet bag or any other circumstance so I can just throw the disposable away.  I didn’t use them often and ended up with a few left over but it was nice to have the option.  Also, if you sew you can look up gdiaper insert on etsy.com you can buy a pattern although, as I stated above, I would urge you to look at the stitching on mine as it worked really well! I also have two or three inserts I had made for night time that allow for another insert inside to last longer. These make the baby look a little like bubble butt mcgee but hey it works! Ha-ha  Ok, sorry one more thing, you might look into getting the starter kit of gdiapers on diapers.com but adding to your supply by buying a lot on ebay to get more than 12 or so to have on hand. I think I had 20 – 24 at any given time but I slowly amassed those due to cost, started with 12 and just didn’t want to do laundry every two days for diapers.

 Look around and search online, good deals can be found to reduce startup cost, much can be done on your own (cloth spray etc.) for minimal cost.  Use retailmenot.com to check every website you order from for coupon codes and feel free to ask me with any questions.

29 weeks and counting

29 weeks, two days.  Have gained 14 pounds total. Baby's heart beat is in the 130's, measuring well. All is good. Just counting down the weeks!

Reagan Sings

So for the last couple of weeks Reagan has come home singing songs from daycare.  Every time I try to tape her she stops and wants to play for the camera.  Last night sitting on my lap I finally captured Twinkle, twinkle, little star albeit bad camera angle but you get the gist. Enjoy....I did! :o)

Harvest Festival & Halloween

Happy Kids!

My chitlen!!

I told her to give Ryker a hug, this is what I got.

Princess & Spidey

My bunch!

They were rearing to go play.

RYKER

Rainbow colored car

He was so excited! I couldn't get him in many photos since he was running around like crazy.

BRYDEN

Of course he wants a spider!

He was thrilled!

He thought it was funny cows make milk but this one was drinking it.

No riding but got to sit on it!

She wanted to get her face painted!

Doesn't she look thrilled?! LOL

Finally excited with the finished product!

Princess Reagan!

She refused to go in the petting zoo but kept touching them through the wire.

 

 

My costume. A chef with a "bun in the oven"!

Baking instructions

Fun at the Sand Dunes!

The first time we went to the sand dunes it was cold, stormy, and we were unprepared so convincing the kids to go yesterday was no less than a chore.....however, I bribed them with a cheese pizza from Dominoes, got some shovels and buckets, and packed cheetos and cookies.  The result? We spent five hours!  After 3.5 hours I asked if they were ready to head home and was met with three emphatic nos!  LOL!  It was a wonderful afternoon full of fun, sun, sand, and more sand! I had some pooped and happy critters when we got home! I love my kids!! <3

Ryker making sand castles.

Bryden's hero pose!

Reagan and "her" rock!

Trekking the dunes!

Such a poser whenever he sees the camera!

She was guarding the ball from the wind.

My Rykerman!

Bryden kept chasing after windblown items!

Ryker protecting his castles from destroyer Reagan!

She loved the sand!

Picking out rocks!

One of the many trips to the bathroom for water to make wet sand!

He is such a helper!

His lines of castles!

Reagan before she smashed every one of them! Ryker is so understanding. Love that boy!

Bryden making his whale!

Yet another pose!

Making egg castles!

My kiddos!!

Boys & Girls Masquerade Ball

So we got tickets through work and a friend and I went to the Boys & Girls Masquerade Ball on Saturday! What an awesome time! Great food! I won a $600 entertainment package in Denver including a $50 gift card to Cheesecake Factory, Pit passes at the Bandimere Speedway for "Nights of Thunder", a one night stay at the Brunsville Hotel in their Executive City Suite including room service, and two tickets to the Wildlife Experience! I spent $5 dollars and played heads or tails against about 200 others to win!! Very exciting! They had other fun items like fake marraiges for $5 and fake annulments for $10 so we did both! Haha  Here are some pictures!

My non-maternity dress still fit!!

Our costumes!

Our table's $100 ugly cake! The pretty ones went for $375 or more!

My friend Scott!

Our fake marriage! :o)

Our fake divorce! Haha

Mini Me!

I was going through my pictures while I unpacked and cannot believe the uncanny resemblance between my baby pictures and Reagan!  My hair and eyes were a bit darker but you take a look!