It's a GIRL!
Charlotte Elizabeth is her name.
She was born at 5:35pm, 7lb 13oz, 21.75 inches long.
Check out my other blog for all the birth details.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
another Spots score
I just bought FOUR almost new small Thirsties covers for $26 !!!
white, yellow, green and blue (I've determined blue is gender neutral ... while pink is not)
white, yellow, green and blue (I've determined blue is gender neutral ... while pink is not)
Saturday, August 8, 2009
new discovery
My friend Corey who has given me a lot of advice on cloth diapering had been recommending a website as a place to purchase used diapers: http://www.diaperswappers.com/
However, after attempting to navigate it, I was in search of a better alternative. I posted a note on the EFF forum on thebump.com and I was directed to a different site, and I am already in love!
I purchased a newborn sized organic fitted diaper with a giraffe print. It has a snap in doubler. It is soooo cute and I can't wait to get it and try it on Sprout! I am so excited!!!
However, after attempting to navigate it, I was in search of a better alternative. I posted a note on the EFF forum on thebump.com and I was directed to a different site, and I am already in love!
I purchased a newborn sized organic fitted diaper with a giraffe print. It has a snap in doubler. It is soooo cute and I can't wait to get it and try it on Sprout! I am so excited!!!
Prep Day ... a tutorial
Today is the day!
I am finally going to prep my diapers. It has taken me what seems like FOREVER to figure out exactly how to do it -and how to conserve the most water.
11:24am: I am currently washing my fitteds/contours and am boiling the water to prep the prefolds. I think I am going to be super lame and post pictures of the prefold prep process (kinda stealing the idea from the lady who's format I'm following).
I didn't keep up with the specific times, but I have pics of the prep process:
#1: The Supplies : 12 unbleached indian prefolds, Original Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid, large stockpot
#2: Prefold thickness prior to boiling (this is all 12)
#3: First batch while boiling.
I filled the stock pot almost to the top (as you can see) with a Squirt of Dawn. I didn't measure it so I couldn't tell you how much exactly to use. I boiled 6 PFs at a time for 20 minutes each (I even got a picture of the timer so make sure to note it through the steam!) I stirred them around a bit to make sure they all got submerging time as the ones at the top of the pot tended to float.
#4: wringing out the diapers with tongs ... I wrapped the PF around the tongs and squeezed them against the side of the pot until they didn't drip a lot (note: after awhile the rough edges on the tongs really tore up the palms of my hands so I started wearing cleaning gloves while wringing them out to save my poor hands)
#5: I put the six boiled prefolds on our draining tray to cool off and wait for the other six to finish.
I repeated steps 1-5 on the second set of 6 diapers.
After all 12 were boiled, I threw them in the washing machine with no detergent (figuring Dawn is still going to be in the wash) and did a hot wash with two cold rinses. (I have a top loader machine that is apartment-issue so it basically has no options other than this)
NOTE: I had meant to use the water in the pot for the wash (to save on water ... given that it was already boiling temp) but I neglected to do so. I used the largest water setting on the machine.
They went into the dryer after that (along with my fitteds/contours to save on energy)
#6: Photo of diapers after the first wash/dry. Notice the increase in quiltiness/fluffiness and thickness.
After the initial wash/dry, they went back into the washing machine with 1/2 the recommended amount of Purex Free & Clear through a hot wash/ two cold rinses. Again, I used the largest water setting. I washed my fitteds/contours with them this time.
They went back into the dryer after that (the prefolds/fitted and contours)
#7: After the boiling and two washes/dries. Again note the increase in fluffiness/quiltiness (is that even a word) and the thickness.
KL washing recommendation: http://www.kissaluvs.com/care-instructions.php
Pinstripes and Polkadots list of instructions from manufacturers: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/CareInstructionsbyBrand.htm
I am finally going to prep my diapers. It has taken me what seems like FOREVER to figure out exactly how to do it -and how to conserve the most water.
11:24am: I am currently washing my fitteds/contours and am boiling the water to prep the prefolds. I think I am going to be super lame and post pictures of the prefold prep process (kinda stealing the idea from the lady who's format I'm following).
I didn't keep up with the specific times, but I have pics of the prep process:
#1: The Supplies : 12 unbleached indian prefolds, Original Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid, large stockpot
#2: Prefold thickness prior to boiling (this is all 12)
#3: First batch while boiling.
I filled the stock pot almost to the top (as you can see) with a Squirt of Dawn. I didn't measure it so I couldn't tell you how much exactly to use. I boiled 6 PFs at a time for 20 minutes each (I even got a picture of the timer so make sure to note it through the steam!) I stirred them around a bit to make sure they all got submerging time as the ones at the top of the pot tended to float.
#4: wringing out the diapers with tongs ... I wrapped the PF around the tongs and squeezed them against the side of the pot until they didn't drip a lot (note: after awhile the rough edges on the tongs really tore up the palms of my hands so I started wearing cleaning gloves while wringing them out to save my poor hands)
#5: I put the six boiled prefolds on our draining tray to cool off and wait for the other six to finish.
I repeated steps 1-5 on the second set of 6 diapers.
After all 12 were boiled, I threw them in the washing machine with no detergent (figuring Dawn is still going to be in the wash) and did a hot wash with two cold rinses. (I have a top loader machine that is apartment-issue so it basically has no options other than this)
NOTE: I had meant to use the water in the pot for the wash (to save on water ... given that it was already boiling temp) but I neglected to do so. I used the largest water setting on the machine.
They went into the dryer after that (along with my fitteds/contours to save on energy)
#6: Photo of diapers after the first wash/dry. Notice the increase in quiltiness/fluffiness and thickness.
After the initial wash/dry, they went back into the washing machine with 1/2 the recommended amount of Purex Free & Clear through a hot wash/ two cold rinses. Again, I used the largest water setting. I washed my fitteds/contours with them this time.
They went back into the dryer after that (the prefolds/fitted and contours)
#7: After the boiling and two washes/dries. Again note the increase in fluffiness/quiltiness (is that even a word) and the thickness.
KL washing recommendation: http://www.kissaluvs.com/care-instructions.php
Pinstripes and Polkadots list of instructions from manufacturers: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/CareInstructionsbyBrand.htm
Friday, August 7, 2009
Detergent
I am still stuck on what kind of detergent to use for the diapers.
I have read so many reviews on different types of detergents that my head is spinning. Every website has a different opinion and every person who responds to one of my board posts has a different opinion. I've just decided to pick one and if it doesn't work... I'll try another.
Here are a couple links that I've used to help me with the decision process:
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoicesataglancepspd.htm
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
I have opted to (for now) go with Purex Free-and-Clear. Both of the above website
s have given it good reviews, and if it doesn't work for me with the diapers, I can always use it for laundry.
HOWEVER, after this bottle, I will probably try to make my own detergent or switch to a biodegradable one, since I don't like leaching chemicals into the environment if I don't have to.
I was recommended a detergent recipe from another blogger that I will probably use, but I am sure I will keep researching it to the death until then (like I always do).
http://poonicosmom.blogspot.com/
I have read so many reviews on different types of detergents that my head is spinning. Every website has a different opinion and every person who responds to one of my board posts has a different opinion. I've just decided to pick one and if it doesn't work... I'll try another.
Here are a couple links that I've used to help me with the decision process:
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoicesataglancepspd.htm
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
I have opted to (for now) go with Purex Free-and-Clear. Both of the above website
s have given it good reviews, and if it doesn't work for me with the diapers, I can always use it for laundry.HOWEVER, after this bottle, I will probably try to make my own detergent or switch to a biodegradable one, since I don't like leaching chemicals into the environment if I don't have to.
I was recommended a detergent recipe from another blogger that I will probably use, but I am sure I will keep researching it to the death until then (like I always do).
http://poonicosmom.blogspot.com/
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