What Emmett Ate Wednesday

One day late this week! 

We had a few set backs last week with BLW.  A combination of Emmett having a cold with sore throat and being out and about a lot.  He didn't have much interest in solids while his throat hurt so we feed him puree - which I am guilty of giving him from a pouch.  We don't have purees on hand anymore and I just didn't have time to make them! 

Usually when we are on the go Emmett eats off our plates but that sometimes gets messy at restaurants so we occasionally give him a pouch instead.

He was slowly starting to accept he had to feed himself again until the teething pains started.  While he is eating he isn't eating much.  He is more interested with pushing food around on his tray and then throwing handfuls on the dog....

 

In addition to formula...

Breakfast:  1 Banana and half a thins bagel with cream cheese...he ate the banana

Lunch: Baby Gourmet - Pear & Garden Greens pouch.  He ate half - usually he eats the entire thing

Dinner - Chicken, veggies and a rice/lentil/quinoa blend

 

He ate all the chicken and a few veggies and rice.  The rest went on the floor. Hopefully he gets his appetite back soon!!

Review: Glowbug Cloth Diapers

Disclosure: I did receive product in exchange for writing this review.  In no way did this influence my opinion of this product/company.  These opinions are my own and not those of the company.

You all know I love my Glow Bugs.  They are super fun, easy to use and wash and hold up against leaks.  I think we have over 30 Glow Bugs now!  At the end of June I contacted Glow Bug about using some photos/links from their website in a review of the 2012 diaper.

Of course these amazing ladies went and did one better and offered to send one us one of their new and improved diapers to review.  Ummm...heck yes!?!

What's the difference between the old and new diapers?  Why the new 360 degree gusset!!


Photo credit: glowbugclothdiapers.com

This adds extra leak protection to the diaper and it works!  Usually when I review a diaper I have to wait and wait for the ultimate test of a diaper...the poop!!  Which when you are only working with one of a particular diaper can take a while!  Not.  This.  Time.  First time I put this guy on EJ I took it off 20 minutes later.  It did the job!

Now we still used a liner in this diaper but I patted it down into the gusset and it kept the shape pretty well!  Rather than the poop sliding up the back of the diaper it got trapped down in the gusset.

These diapers also feature the same snaps as the old diapers.  Lots of waist and length sizes and the hip snaps that the 2012 diapers included.

Also new to this version was the male and female parts on the inserts so you can snap additional inserts for added absorbency.

They still have the great prints from 2012 and added 12 new unisex prints!


Photo credit: glowbugclothdiapers.com

My verdict?  5 FRICKEN STARS!

LOVED this new diaper!  The new features are awesome and the overall quality of the diaper just gets better and better!

The new unisex prints are fun and colourful AND they are still the same great price!  $150 for 12 diapers.

I'm seriously considering de-stashing some of my old bugs to trade up for these new ones!

Weekend Recap

I'm back, I'm finally back!!

I have missed blogging!  I'm finally done the Momstown Birthday Bash and ready for a sewing break...other than the custom Christmas orders that are coming in!

We had a busy, busy weekend!  Actually we've had a pretty busy month.  I have lots of stuff stocked up for the boutique so I can enjoy the next few weeks as we head into fall (yay!!) with Emmett and Craig.  Since it's my favorite season I am excited to be on maternity leave and have NOTHING to do other than enjoy it.

Friday, Emmett and I drove down to Mississauga to meet up with a Mom from my online Mom's board.  She just happened to be in Ontario (she is from the West coast) for tryouts for the Canadian Women's Sledge Hockey Team (pretty cool, huh??) and came in a day early so we could meet! 

I told Craig I was kind of nervous going because while you kind of "know" these Mom's you don't actually KNOW them.  It was so much fun though and I'd do it again in a second!  We didn't have any awkward conversation - it was just like old friends meeting up!

Here we are!

These ladies have been such an amazing support group, friends and resource for me both during pregnancy and for these past few months.   I can't wait to meet more of them in real life!

Saturday I spent sewing my butt off.  Emmett's Aunt Marianne came for a visit and of course brought him a huge PRESENT!  He loves it.

Look at all the fun they had!

 

 

Sunday was the day I've been prepping for pretty much all month!  The Momstown Birthday Bash!

 

 

While the show didn't go quite as well as I had hoped (I had really high aspirations) it still did well!  I also made some great connections and got my name out there!  Emmett also met Clifford the dog which he quite enjoyed. 

 

Daddy, Emmett & Clifford

 

Our booth!

 

In other news....Emmett can stand...unassisted....for almost 30 seconds sometimes.  I miss my little baby but am enjoying all these milestones and can't wait to see what he gets into, learns next.



Tushie Talk Tuesday: Back to Basics

I'm still here!

We have been so busy the past few weeks!  I am also guilty of....disposables....until yesterday I had the same diapers drying on the line that have been there for close to 2 weeks.  Bad!  They were also piled underneath yards and yards of fabric!!  I have been sewing like crazy getting ready for the Momstown Birthday Bash which is in just under two weeks.

I may be MIA until then with just a post here and there.

I'm skipping the diaper series this week and last week and probably next week because I haven't been able to take any pictures of Emmett wearing them.  I'm hoping to have the new Glow Bug diaper review done soon!

So, why am I posting a picture of part of our stash today? 

 

This post isn't about creating a start up stash.  It is to remind you to do your own research. Find what works for you.

 

  When I first started our stash I read reviews, did research on companies and materials, various systems (AIO, pocket, prefolds, etc) and chose the CD and accessories and wash products and routines that I felt would work best for our family.  We did go with a lot of mid/high end diapers.  We are fortunate that we were financially able to do so (one of the reasons a lot of families choose to CD!). 

 

We have been very lucky that this research and purchase of high quality products paid off and we have had very few problems.  There are only a handful of diapers in our 75 + diaper stash that we don't like.

 

A few weeks ago I gave my input to a local Mom via the world wide web about starting up a stash.  Opinions on the brands I like, use, don't use and reasons why.  My suggestion as it is to anyone wanting to start out is to get a few different brands and see what works for you and your baby.

 

I was bothered by another comment suggested that this Mama should purchase a starter stash of a few low end brands (they were named but I won't rename them here because I personally don't use them -  research and friends opinions led me away).  Just to see if they liked CD because there was no point putting out the money only to not like it.

 

Just to see if you like CD....personally had I ONLY purchased low end diapers that were prone to leaks, repelling due to lower grade materials and poor fit...I probably wouldn't be using them anymore! 

 

While I think there are some great low/mid end diapers to start out with you may not be one of the lucky ones to have a good experience with them.  Don't let start up cost have you running out of the store.  Think of the long run savings!

 

That being said.  What worked for our family may not work for the next family.  It might work great for another.  I KNOW it won't work for some families too.

 

Everyone's experience and needs will be different.  Just like everyone's baby is different! 

Adventures in Mama Cloth: The Conclusion

Final warning.  I'm going to talk about periods....again.  If you don't want to read about them stop reading now!

I chose 3 North American companies to compare/review for my adventures in Mama Cloth: Lunapads. Tree Hugger Cloth Pads and Talulah Bean.  These are just 3 companies - there are lots more! 

I ordered each pad in the companies version of a "regular" size. 

Each of these companies does great things with the sale of each pad which is why I chose them.  You can read up on them by clicking on the links!

The approximate start up cost is based on 5 pad changes for 6 days assuming you wash every two days.

Please ignore the lousy photos in this post.  I'm tired and my computer is tired and photo editing just wasn't happening tonight!

3 products with their wings in "on" mode.  This is what they will look like in your underwear.  They are all similar in length.  They are all the same width.  The Lunapad has a traditional "pad" shape.  The Talulah Bean has a square shape but really conforms as required.  The Tree Hugger holds a square shape.

 

The Talulah Bean offers the largest amount of coverage in the "wing" area.

 

Each pad folds up nicely for discreet storage.

 

 

Lunapad

Cost: $16.99 (1 pad, 1 liner)

Approximate start up cost: $78 for Starter Kit

4.5 stars



My first impressions of the Lunapad weren't as optimistic as my other choices.  The pad is made from regular cotton (organic cotton is an option) and my others were minky.  I was also concerned about being able to feel the strap to hold in the liner. 

 

I was wrong.  I shouldn't have judged.

 

The Lunapad was my favorite.  I couldn't even feel it.  It was like wearing a disposable pad but without the crinkly noise when you move the wrong way!

 

I also love that each shell can be worn for a few hours and you simply change the liner (like an AI2 CD) as long as it doesn't oversaturate.  The shell must be worn with a liner.

 

The material in the Lunapad was very absorbent and I felt like it did the best job at wicking away moisture.

 

There were lots of fun prints, sizes and two fabric choices.

 

Negatives: Wasn't minky...but I think that worked to their advantage!

This one wrinkles if it isn't finished in the dryer.  It still functions though which is good as I prefer to hang dry cloth.

I wasn't a huge fan of any of the starter kits that the company has on their website.  I would have preferred and option to have just pads and extra liners.

 

Tree Hugger Cloth Pads

Cost: $24/2 pads ($12 each)

Approximate start up cost: $198 for start set OR based on 6 pads per day/laundry every other day (total 12 pads) approx. $144

Review: 3.5 stars

My first thoughts?  Awwww minky.  Then I realized. I can feel the minky.  I can feel this pad.  Yup, I'm wearing a pad.

 

It didn't get better.  Comfortable?  Yes.  But I could still tell I was wearing it.

 

At least it was super soft and fun....until it was time to change pads and I was really regretting purchasing a partially white pad.  Although I am happy to report that they did come out stain free.

 

I didn't feel like this pad was overly absorbent.  It seemed like everything just...sat...at the top. 

 

I did like the square shape because it offered a bit more coverage at the sides.

 

There are lots of fun prints/colours as well as a few fabric options.  They also offer coordinating wetbags for travel.

 

 

Talulah Bean

Cost: $11 USD

Approximate start up cost: $130 based on 6 pads per day washed every 2 days (12 pads total)

Review: 4 stars

Minky, minky, minky!!

 

This was without a doubt the softest, nicest material that has ever graced my...you know ;).

 

You can tell by looking at and feeling this product that the company uses higher quality materials.  Even after a couple washes it still feels like new.

 

I found the more I washed this one the more absorbent it got.

 

This pad was so comfortable and soft and yet I could barely tell I was wearing it.

 

There are 3 fabric choices on the website, lots of size options.  They also make wetbags.  Unique to Talulah Bean is the "chilly bean".  It is a post partum ice pack that you just plunk on top of your pad for soothing relief.  Totally could have used that post partum!

 

I'm only knocking it down .5 star from being tied at first because the cost is a bit higher since it is in US dollars and being shipped from the states.  Otherwise I adore this one!

 

 

Congrats if you are still reading this!

 

My final thoughts?  Embracing Mama Cloth wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be.  I actually got the same pleasure as I do from my CD addiction.  And this one can be enjoyed long after the babe and any more to come are out of diapers...oh joy...oh bliss.

 

I will be stocking up on a few more pads from these companies and may even try the Luna Cup or Lunette!

 

Until next time...no more period talk for a while ;)

 

 

 

Adventures in Mama Cloth: Part II

I am going to talk about periods again.  If you don't want to read then stop reading here.  Now. Just. Stop.

Mama Cloth was actually went a lot better than I thought it was going to!  I only used them at home and during the day.  I wasn't brave enough to test them out overnight and I have a hard enough time forcing myself to go out with CD much less Mama Cloth! 

To store the used cloths I swiped one of Emmett's Sling Sister wet/dry bags.  I stored the clean pads in the dry zip pocket and the used in the wet pocket.  I used the strap to hang off the toilet paper roll holder.

It was really nice to not be starting at the....waste....in the garbage pail.  If we had guests they wouldn't be the wiser that I had my period.  Nor was the dog.

I washed them with Emmett's diapers.  You could also wash with towels or other linens.  If they are sitting for a day or two before washing I'd recommend rinsing to avoid staining.  I used the regular Rockin Green I used on CD but they also make a version specially for Mama's!

I hung them to dry with Emmett's dipes but had I been throwing something into the dryer I probably would have put them in also.

I undoubtedly have my favorite brand and I will probably start making the switch to exclusive cloth over the next few months.  I think I might try out the cup too!

So what did I like/not like.  What brands offer what features/benefits?  Stayed tuned tomorrow for the conclusion of Adventures in Mama Cloth!

What Emmett Ate Wednesday # 2

Baby led weaning is still going very well!  There isn't a food that Emmett has tried that he doesn't like.  He is getting a lot better at the pincer grip as well.  Most of the food makes it into his mouth now rather than his lap!

Here is what Emmett ate!

Breakfast- 1 egg yolk with 1 piece of cheddar cheese

Lunch - 1 piece of toast (no crust) with avocado and 3 slices cheese

Dinner - corn, mashed potatoes, chicken and steamed zucchini

Dessert/Snack - Strawberries and blueberries

 

You can tell by the pictures that Emmett is loving anything cut into finger/fry shapes!  Easy to grab, easy to shove in his mouth!