Our bunz are nice and fuzzi...

I have taken what I consider to be a big plunge, and invested in cloth diapers. Lulu is potty training currently, and so the cozy diapers are for Baby Jo.

I tell you what fellow mothers out there, the world of cloth diapering is FULL of passionate, opinionated, and disagreeing women as well as dozens of different brands and options making researching cloth diapers quite difficult. After feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of paying $17 for a diaper that won't do the job, I resorted to the process of elimination. (WARNING: there is a lot of information following that might not make a lot of sense if you are not familiar with the on-line cloth diapering jargon. I just want to put what I learned out there to help anyone else on the search for what they want in cloth diapering)

I decided quickly that I wanted snaps over velcro because I knew I would eventually be frustrated by the velcro fraying over the inevitably frequent washing cloth diapers require. I want this investment to last me through more than one baby. This is an effort to save money as well as the environment.



I chose pocket diapers



over the pre-fold (old fashioned big cloth you fold around your baby's bum),



the fitted diapers (diaper shaped cloth that you have to buy a separate cover for), and the the all-in-one diaper (a waterproof cover and inner cloth soaker all in one, no assembly required but lots of drying required). With pocket, I can really put anything in there to soak up the pee. I read somewhere where people have sewn together old t-shirts, towels, etc. However, the diapers come with plenty of inserts so I don't think it will be necessary. I hang dry the outer shell and they dry in about two hours, SUPER fast, and the inserts I tumble dry so they aren't damp forever and have musty smells etc.

I knew I wanted a one-size diaper that adjusts to fit the baby at all ages. I saw lots of comments saying that it really won't fit a new born. Jo is already a pretty big girl and they fit her fine. I loved how Fuzzi Bunz one-size diapers adjust in the elastics around the legs and the waist as opposed to snaps up the front. They have snaps and are pocket diapers. So, they fit my criteria.



Thankfully, this website offers a thirty trial on various brands of diapers so you can take a few for a test drive and return them for your money back. I tried a few both inexpensive and more expensive. All the comments I heard is that the cheaper ones are good, but you get what you pay for. They probably would not last me more than one baby. I did invest in a few flip diapers. I really liked them and they were having a sale on the disposable inserts which is awesome for church and travel etc.

We have been at it for a couple of weeks now, and so far so good. Not one blowout! I'm impressed. I do have to change her wet diapers much more frequently than with the disposable or else she leaks around the leg, but I don't mind. The extra laundry is surprisingly not a big deal at all. I store the diapers in a dray pail with a lid and end up doing a small laundry load every other day. I ordered 18 fuzzi bunz and that has proven to be plenty.

An extra bonus is that they come in lots of cute colors. I like to think it makes her feel extra cute, kind of like wearing colored underwear feels more fashionable and fun than just plain whitey tighties.

So, that is my latest and greatest adventure. I'll let you know if I run into problems in the future as Jo grows bigger. Here is how the kids feel about the new diapers!

I saw this on my friend's blog and just had to share. Absolutely inspiring...

Camping

Because of our stake conference meetings last week, I felt really motivated to finally get some 72 hour kits together. A full on food storage is kind of difficult to tackle when you know you might be moving in the next year or so. But, 72 hour kits are completely doable. I printed off different lists of suggested materials for the kits, went on a shopping spree, and packed two back packs full of granola bars, soup, water bottles, trail mix, soap and first aid supplies, etc. I think I always felt that I knew I would put something together and then forget about them and everything would be spoiled by the time we had an emergency. I read a good idea online which is to update at every General Conference, because the guidelines recommend updating every six months. What better reminder to update our physical storehouses than General Conference which restocks our spiritual necessities.

Another item mentioned on different lists was a tent. We've looked at different tents over the years, always thinking we would invest in one. Well, with the combination of the 72 hour kit bee-in-my-bonnet plus a great deal on KSL (LOVE online classifieds), we bought a tent and decided to use it right away...



...in our living room. We had a party; G-Force the movie, popcorn, drinks, and the kids got stay up way past their bedtime, all the way till 9:30 (they are such party animals).


This is Lulu's cheese face apparently.

Adam and the kids slept in the tent while the baby and I retired to our normal beds. Baylub kept calling the tent a fort. It was fun, making memories and doing something as a family.

Blessings...

Baby Jo was blessed in January. Many family members were able to come. It was a beautiful meeting and she's a beautiful girl.



Adam's Mom bought her dress and I absolutely LOVE it. Jo looks like a little angel in it (and Adam did shave for the occasion).



Here are some two month old pictures of her. She smiles so easy except when the camera is out. I think she was also just too tired. Look at those tired eyes.

She is my chubbiest baby, nice and healthy. In two months she has grown three inches and gained 4 lbs and 2 oz. She is only 9 lbs less than Lulu. That being said, Lulu is just barely 20 lbs at 20 months so the comparison is a little skewed.




And during the photo shoot, Baylub wanted his picture taken while he played with Jo's Christmas present. Not his own presents, the baby's play mat is much more fun.


Kids are just too funny.

Once there was a mustache...

Over the fabulous Christmas break, we played in the snow, went sledding and built a snowman for the first time...





and Adam grew a mustache that my brothers called his pedophile-stache.


I've never seen him with facial hair before and it was kind of hard to take him seriously.

It was such a fun break, but I am PUMPED to get this last semester started and done with. The beginning of the end has me giddy!

I have been remiss. I have neglected to bloggingly welcome baby Sam into our family. After two years of waiting and a couple of failed attempts, my brother and his wife were able to adopt a beautiful baby boy. And, he is as sweet as can be. I love the expressions he makes with his mouth.









Welcome Samuel! We love you and are so happy you are in our family! Congratulations to the happy parents, Bryan and Suzanne!

(as soon as I get pictures, I will also welcome baby Kate in blog form...)

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year's Eve celebration.



Here is to an awesome 2010!