Raising Saints & Martyrs

So It has been a while since we started cloth diapers, an I love them!

What don't I love? My stash...

We now have about 8 prefolds and 4 covers (2 blueberry and 2 flips)
We also have 2 gPants with 3 liners and 15 inserts (I don't love these anymore)
And we have 13 Sunbaby diapers, 1 Kawaii minky and 1 Bumgenius 4.0

I have also added cloth wipes and cloth liners.

Why don't I love my stash? My tastes are NOT what I expected. I expected to love pockets. I expected to hate prefolds and covers. I expected to be that mom. The one with all the new age pocket diapers. I was wrong.

I have finally figured out my ideal diaper stash for Audrey.

The research phase is officially completed!

1. Diapers:

• Graceful Rose gPants and one to three others in the right size and in girly colors. These will be easiest for travel.
• My 12 Sunbaby diapers I ordered (they are in NY as of last night...I am so eager to have them here already)
• 12 Kawaii diapers (they have a set for $70)
• 3 Good night heavy wetters by Kawaii
• 3 more minky diapers (because they are so cute)
• 2 Kawaii diaper covers for my prefolds.

Ugh, I was SO.STINKING.SICK. this week. I ended up at Urgent Care, they transferred me to the ER...they tried to admit me, but I knew they wouldn't figure out a diagnosis so it wasn't worth being away from home again (three years ago this happened also...)

I woke up a few days ago and was vomiting and my heart was racing. No, they couldn't figure out why after four Docs and 3 EKGs. Oh well. Anyway, I am back on my feet and ready to go again. I made some cloth liners from some cutesy giraffe print fleece:

Ok, I suppose I could have rotated them, but you get the idea

I use these over Audrey's prefolds when I have those in the little gPants to keep the moisture off her skin.

I also decided I needed a better system for storing dirty dipes. I already own a Diaper Genie, so I figured, why not? Well, first I did learn that no or poor circulation will lead to mildew and there is no removing that, so I knew I needed air.

I popped that baby open and looked around. That stupid little thing that closes the bag is not air tight, the bag is. So I put a new bag in...opened it all the way around and made it fully open...then, I popped the spring under the closer grabby thing under the lid. Now the bag is in there and the closure is permanently open for air. I just toss the old diapers in there. Tada!

Ok, well this isn't ideal for me, but it works for the moment. I would like to get a nice pail liner and a small trash can or a diaper champ and use that. I will keep using the genie as long as I need to though :)

I really wish I had more updates, but the holidays are kicking my rear.

More on us tomorrow hopefully...

So yesterday morning I decided realized I needed to wash the diaper liners.  Badly.  I was down to three.  THREE.  That isn't a lot in the world of pooping four month old babies.  So I got them, rinsed them in cold water (in my machine...it isn't 1965 and I refuse to do them by hand).  Then I realized...umm...I only have Costco soap (which I hate, by the way...more on that later).

To the Internets!

So, I know...day three just began.  I think the GDiapers are wonderful, I love them and they are crazy easy to use, if you ask me.  However, I have seen a lot of reviews and such that state that they are not so simple and are just a bit confusing to other moms.

Now, that being said, I know a lot of cloth diapering mommies who hate these dipes, but they use other types and each person will have her own view of what is easier to use.  I am referring to people who are new to cloth diapering and are starting out with Gs.

I took some photos to help you visualize this a little better.

This is the collection (well the items not on the line anyway...it's laundy day).

The liners fit right into the pouches.  You might have to maneuver them a bit to get them in there snugly, but they will fit.

I usually maintain two ready to go just in case Audrey poos.  When she does I always change the pouch.

 In all I have a total of two covers, three pouches and 15 liners so far.

Oh boy...well things went so very well today.  That it, until I learned that I needed at least 10 to 15 more inserts as well as more pockets.  I also took a closer look at the diapers Audrey was wearing and learned that they were a size too large!  Now it is like starting.all.over and I may blow a gasket over the whole thing!

I went straight to panic mode when I realized all the things I need/want.  Those that know me can attest to my want vs. need as being non-existent.  The things I want are the things I need, of course my husband really doesn't see it that way.  He claims we don't need a wet bag or special detergent (although, both really are essential items to cloth diapering).  He also says I don't need all those super cute diapers I am drooling over.  Here is where we part ways.  I do need those diapers.  I must have them.

Anyway...I digress...

I suddenly find myself at a freak out moment due to the initial buy in cost of cloth diapering:

• 2 Packs of Gs (these are essential as the hubby will NOT deal with pocket dipes on road trips to Cali...I will NOT miss Thanksgiving with my family) $26.99 each ($54 assuming BRU or BBB will not allow coupons...I have heard they will on the GPants) Luckily this will give me four more pockets for changes
• 1 pack (6) of Gs pockets for poopy messes $20 (same couponing deal though)
• 1 pack (6) of prefolds by Cocalo $20
• Wet bag from Kawaii $13
• 12 diapers from Kawaii $70 (free shipping over $80...YAY!)
• 1 or 2 minky dipes from Kawaii (all the diapers come with 2 inserts so I would have a total of 28) $8-$16
• Wipes ~ I can make these for around $3 total

So today marks the first ever day of cloth diapering for our family.  The boy isn't all too thrilled, but hey, if it saves money and some space in a land fill, why not, right?

We are beginning our journey with Gdiapers.  They are SO cute!  Just ridiculous cute!  Before choosing to start with these I did my research and learned there was a plethora of choices out there in regards to style.

You have:
Flats ~ SO not happening in my house
Prefolds ~ Inexpensive, but bulky and you still need diaper covers...not digging these so much
All-in-ones ~ We are getting there, but these aren't always waterproofed all the way, plus you can't increase absorbancy for heavy wetters.
All-in-twos (hybrid systems) ~ Here you have a LOT of parts, but they are kinda cool...with the all in two you can change the pad and reuse (unless poo gets on them) the waterproof liners.  Gdiapers fall here, I like them because I only change the liner when she poos (breastfed poo can be messy...but isn't stinky, so it is ok).  These often have a disposable option as well, which is another reason I liked the G's (they are 100% biodegradable and can be flushed). 
Pocket Style ~ I like these, a lot. You have the diaper and a pocket for the inserts (you can even use the tri-folds here, yay) giving you the ability to increase absorbancy as needed.  These also dry a whole lot faster than the all-in-one types.