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gDiaper Follow up

So, it's been a few weeks since I started using the gDiapers. I have a confession to make.
I dont use them as much as I want to. For me, its like working out;
I know it is a good thing to do, but actually doing it is a whole other story.
I have used them 20 or so times. I know this because I am 2 disposable inserts away
from being out. They are super easy and I have yet to have a clog. I am an expert at flushing
the nasties away and have even changed them while we were out in public.

The real reason I have not used them more is because my son HATES them. He freaks out
every time I put them on. There is something about the fit between the legs that he
doesnt like but I cannot figure out how to adjust them so he is ok with them.
I think that if he had worn them since day one, he would be fine. So that is the plan with baby #2, whenever that will be.
For now I will continue to use them with the flushable inserts. I plan on buying more gpants when I buy the refills and these(pictured) are the first on my list!

Have you tried gDiapers? If so, what do you think?

made.my.day

Last week I spent a couple of days anxiously awaiting the UPS guy's knock on the door. I was waiting for this:

My new Mia Moda Cielo Evolution to replace my old Cielo. This is the upgraded version of my old 'James Bond' stroller. I could not wait to compare the two!
New Features:
Arm rests-while it is not a full bumper bar, the arm rests are nice. Monkey Man thinks it is great to put them up and down over and over again and that keeps him occupied, so that is nice! Just remember to always fold them up before collapsing the stroller.
More padding- the padding seems thicker and the back pad seems wider
Easier recline method, also seems to go back further
Better Storage bag- with snaps instead of velcro, you don't have to worry about the bag falling off. It also has a neat zipper that gives you access to the bottom of the bag without pulling everything out.
Parent cup holder- while nice, I haven't used it yet because you have to take it off when you collapse the stroller. This is somewhat annoying since I haven't been able to get it to stay put in the storage bag while folded. So for now it hangs out in the car to be taken out the next time I go to the mall or county fair.
Matching strap pads- It seems silly but I was kind of annoyed when I had to go buy my own strap protectors when I got my stroller last time. Now it comes with them, which is nice since I am not sure I would easily find 'mint' strap protectors!!!
As always I love the super easy one hand steering and compact fold. So simple!


The only thing I would change about this stroller now is the sun shade. In sunny Florida it is not nearly big enough so I think I will be buying an extender soon.
In the end, I cannot recommend this stroller enough! Thanks Mia Moda, for another winner!!!

Co-Sleeper set up

No, Im not talking about Co-Bedding. I was never a fan of the 'family bed' scenario, I guess I was too nervous about rolling over Monkey Man, or just not a fan of giving up my bedtime activities. What we did decide to do was use a Co-Sleeper for the first 3 months of MM's life. I didn't put much thought into setting up our room, but I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful it all worked out. It all started with an over sized chair and ottoman from an old sofa set I begged my husband to let us put in our room. Then came the Co-Sleeper that my sister set up for me before I came home with MM.
Each night I would set up the bottles and diapering supplies needed, plus make sure my stock of backup sleepers and swaddle wrap were safely tucked away in the pocket of the co-sleeper. You never know when you will have a nighttime blowout.
I bet you are wondering why I didn't just feed MM while in bed. One, I had a hard enough of a time Breast Feeding MM while awake and upright, I wasn't sure I could tackle laying down, super sleepy while trying to get him to latch on. Plus I had to supplement with bottles so sitting up was better for him and kept me from dosing off. Two, I have a husband that needs sleep to function. He is a lawyer that handles some pretty important documents, I know his clients would appreciate his being awake to work on them.
When MM would start to stir, I would just plop down in my super comfy chair, put my feet up and change, re-swaddle and then feed him till he was asleep and then wedge him back into the sleep positioner. Wham, Bam, thank you mam, and it was all done in 20 minutes! I could handle that two times a night!
To this day, my husband tells every new dad friend that the co-sleeper was the best thing ever invented!
Here are the elements that made my room so sweet:
Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. It is a bassinet that attaches to your bed so they are sleeping next to you but not in your bed. It was nice in the paranoid, new mom stage.
Boppy Pillow, Swaddle Wrap The pillow is pretty straight forward, it wraps around your mid section to give you support while you nurse or bottle feed. the swaddle wrap(which I cannot find the link for.... I hope they are still around!) was the only one Monkey Man could not get out of and was actually tight enough on him! The purpose of any swaddle wrap is to make them feel like they are still in the womb and to help them from waking themselves up with their Moro Reflex(the startle reflex that sometimes adults get.... when you startle yourself awake).
Sleep Positioner: Helps the little ones from rolling all about in the crib.

Nausea, Heartburn, Indegistion, Upset Stomach...

And we will stop there. On day 2 of my gDiaper experiment Monkey Man exploded. No other symptoms, just nastiness all around.
There was no way I was going to navigate a new diapering method while changing 4 diapers in one morning. I also did not have enough gDiapers lying around to keep up.
Here is what I learned(since he had gDiapers on in the beginning of our crappy day)
1.No poop-tastrophe is too big to clean up, trust me.
2.Showers are much better than baths when your Little One has diarrhea(learned this the hard way)
3.Showers are also a good place to clean out whatever poo is in the liner of the gDiapers
4.Those Liners hold EVERYTHING in and even though he has had 3 or more blow outs in the gDiapers(always 30 minutes after I decide it MUST be safe ), none of the cloth outers OR the liners are stained after going through the wash
5.Utility sinks are awesome.
6.Antibacterial soap is even better

Hopefully whatever is going on in his little tummy will be over soon because I am so eager to get back with these diapers. I really do think I will end up going all cloth, which is something I NEVER thought I would do unless it involved a full diaper service.

Day 1 w/ the gDiaper

This afternoon I got my diapers.com box with my gDiapers starter kit!
It includes 2 cloth outer diapers, 3 plastic liners and 10 flushable
inserts as well as a getting started kit.
Kayden was not too sure about the feel of the diapers and tugged on them
for a few minutes but soon forgot all about them.
Change #1 was pee only and made for a simple flush.
Change #2 was.... #2 and filled the plastic liner but did not spill over onto
the cloth. As soon as I finished the change I double flushed(wipes and filler first, outer material second). They include a swisher stick with a hook(for the side of the
toilet) that breaks up the material so it flushes easier.
Then came the washing of the plastic liner, which I just washed with anti-
bacterial soap and hung up in the shower. You can wash these in the
washer but since I only have 3, I didnt want to wait for a wash.
All of this took 1-2 minutes. Very simple.
Change #3 was poo as well and I followed the procedure
above again and it went even faster.

For overnight, at least until I get more used to how much these
babies can handle, he will be sleeping in our leftover disposables.
So far, I am enjoying the gDiapers. I love that I dont have to empty the trash every day
and that dont get a horrible whiff of poop every time I throw something away.

gDiaper Challenge

A few days ago, I ordered the
gDiaper flushable diaper starter kit
from diapers.com. I have had this idea tugging at my mind for
quite a while. I need to be more responsible with the waste
my family creates. I have been thinking about cloth
but have bad memories of being a nanny for a family
with cloth. They did unspeakable things
with those stinky, real diaper pin laden, plastic pant wearing
double folded cloth diapers.
This seems like a great alternative. Plus Kayden gets
diaper rash all the time and this should* solve that.
So I am going to try these out, which is the best of
both worlds.... until my kiddo can go on the
Big Boy Potty.
Each day I will chronicle my use of these fun little pants!

Stuff Of the Week

Click to enlarge

Try this

Did you know that you can substitute yogurt for oil?



We live on yogurt in our house. Monkey Man eats muffins CONSTANTLY so I started to use Yogurt instead of oil when I make my 2-3 batches of muffins a week. I got this idea from the lid of our favorite yogurt, Stonyfield.
We also put yogurt mixed with milk in MM's sippy when he is on antibiotics and for weeks after. He thinks it is special milk and we call it "shakey" milk since it is his job to shake it all up!
He also eats it for breakfast a few times a week. When he was little and not quite the master of the spoon, I added infant oatmeal to the mix to make it thicker. He could grab it with his hands if he wanted, and I was happy because he was getting dairy and whole grains! As he got better with the spoon, I slowly backed off the oatmeal and now he get his yogurt straight up!

Want more awesome ideas for subsitution with yogurt? Download this picture below and tape it on your fridge for all sorts of awesome ways to bring a little more yogurt into your life!!

Strollin'

One of the most essential items in your baby gear arsenal, a stroller can make or break your day. I was bitten by the stroller bug when I started my registry. I was quickly lost in patterns, features and compatibility with what my family(aka my sister) had used. Determining your stroller needs can be intimidating, so lets get started with the basics:


Travel System: This includes a infant car seat, car base and compatible mid size stroller. Most new moms go straight for the Travel System because it seems like a great all in one package. The price for these systems range from $150 to $900. After starting with a Graco Travel System, I quickly discovered that the stroller was too big and bulky for every day use. It was nice to just snap my infant car seat into the stroller and go, but at 4 months my son no longer tolerated strollin backwards and at 6 months, he grew out of the infant seat altogether. I sold the whole system on craigslist before my son reached his first birthday. My "next time" decision would be to purchase a great infant seat with a multi use stroller(like a Phil and Ted Dash or a Baby Trend Snap and Go) that can adapt to a variety of infant seats. While the matching sets are great, functionality is much better.

Lightweight Strollers: This is the stroller that you will use the most. You will keep it in your trunk at all times, travel with it and put some serious shopping miles on it. I have two lightweights that I have loved. The Combi Cosmo, right, in the orange, is great because it has a bump bar with cup holder, a shade that goes way beyond any other lightweight, a super compact folding feature and carry strap that makes it my #1 airport stroller, 5 point harness, seat recline and a great price of around $89. They also make a great double of this stroller that my sister has. It has a great drive and is surprisingly narrow.



I also have the Mia Moda Cielo. This is what I call my James Bond Stroller. It folds up to the size of a large briefcase and fits easily in the back seat. If you don't feel like popping open the trunk every time you make a run to the store, this is great. It has the 5 point but no cup holder for the child and no bumper bar. The bumper bar is nice to have because it creates a boundary for your child and they don't try to climb out every 10 seconds. Still, this thing is awesome. The one hand steering is unparalleled and it can fit down the most narrow of isles.





Umbrella Stroller: plain and simple, they usually run around $20(or up to $130 for a stroller like the McLaren) and have a lap harness, some have a 5 point. This will be the stroller you buy for grandparents or if you really need to travel light. Chicco makes a great one, the Capri, I found one at Baby Depot for $60. It has a nice canopy and 5 point with great handles.





All Terrain/ Jogging Strollers: Picture this: your baby is 6 weeks old, you've just be given the clear to exercise again and you have images of your sporty self running behind your brand new jogging stroller. Next imagine standing in the stroller isle of your nearest Babies-R-Us or specialty stroller store and wondering what the difference is between the $300 contraption and the $160 version sitting right next to it. Let me make it simple for you. If you run or rollerblade, you need a fixed front wheel to keep you going straight. A hand brake and safety strap attached to the handle are essential, while an ipod speaker and adjustable handle height are just plain nice. If you are more of a hiker, fair/ amusement park goer, a free rolling front wheel is what you need. The nice thing is, if you are both, they make a free wheel that will fix when you up the pace. The Jeep Overland was my choice because I do rollerblade. Now, they make a free/fixed wheel, which I would love to have. These type of strollers are bulky and not ideal for everyday use unless you own a Hummer and want to use lifting it in and out of your car as your arm workout for the day. I have a mid size sedan and could easily fit it in the trunk once I popped the rear wheels off. The Ipod player was great but you do have to keep in mind that your child's ears are inches away from the speaker, so no blaring your work out playlist.
There is also a bike trailer/jogging stroller that converts from one to the other. Check out the Schwinn Mark III, I also have one of these but it stays attached to my bike because it is a pain to attach and re-attach. It is great to ride with but remember to put down the plastic rain cover, it will cut down on drag and keep dirt from flying into your child's face. My first trip out with this, I kept the rain cover up and at the end of the ride, my son had a dirt mustache!

So there is my list and opinions. The bottom line is, research, research, research! Go to the store, ask lots of questions, take it for a test drive and be realistic about expectations. PS... there is no need to match your stroller to your pack n play to your high chair to your swing! Take matching out of the equation and get what will fit your family best. And remember, when you are picking out your colors, you may use this for all of your children so stay neutral!

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Try This

Are you a list maker like me? Then you will LOVE these wonderful FREE downloads from Mommy Track'd.

Are you constantly forgetting things? Not great about sitting down and making a list? Then you REALLY need to check these guys out!

Vintage is the new Modern

A sight that makes me cringe every time I see it:
A playroom filled with nothing but plastic.

Sure, plastic toys have their place. For instance, I love my Little Tykes Climb and Slide. It lives outside and can take all that Florida weather can throw at it.

Wood just seems more permanent, something I am likely to hang on to for the "next one", pack up in a box and save "for the grandkids" or not be ashamed to leave laying out at the end of the night. Luckily, wooden toys are making a comeback and can be found everywhere from Target to Babies-R-Us.

Currently, my FAVORITE wooden toy makers are Melissa and Doug, Ikea and Oompa Toys.

Try them out. You wont be disapointed!

Save those hands

Add this hand saver to your register or shopping list TODAY!!! After spending hours at the sink washing bottles BY HAND or washing your hands 20 gazillion times a day, you will no longer be able to recognize those digits of yours. My hands went from manicured, Essie polished, not an errant cuticle in sight to cracked, dry and pealing in no time flat. It took me a few months to fall back on an old favorite, Bath and Body Works Moisturizing Antibacterial Hand Soap. As a former BBW sales girl I knew all of the benefits of this soap that has not changed since I was 19(when the antibac line was released and I received hours of training on the stuff!!)
If you still have the hands of an 80 year old, try
Nail Tek 7 days to beautiful hands. I've seen this stuff bring back the driest hands. Even my husband keeps this in his desk drawer for those days when he goes through so many documents his hands crack and bleed!

Save those hands Ladies(and Gents), they do important work!

Stuff of the Week

The aftermath of the Baby Shower

After attending a friend's shower this weekend, I was reminded of the after-math of my own baby shower. After unloading a car full of outfits, blankets, towels, registry items you aren't quite sure how to use yet, books and toys, I stared at a now cluttered nursery without a clue on how to start organizing all of this.

My first recommendation is on baby clothing. If you have a family like mine, you could have new and hand me down clothing ranging from newborn to 2t. I took the 0-3 month clothing that was new and ALL of the hand me downs as well as all blankets, sheets, bedding and towels and washed it in a baby detergant like Dreft. This basicly makes sure that all of the chemicals and irritants are washed out of the clothing that will be next to your new baby's skin. Here is Dreft's list of laundry tips:

Make sure to wash everything that may touch your baby's skin in Dreft® before your bundle of joy arrives, including:

• Clothes
• Undergarments such as t-shirts, bodysuits, socks, pants, sleepwear and all other clothing items
• Towels/washcloths
• Bibs
• Bedding: sheets, blankets, comforters etc.
• Receiving blankets
• Car seat, stroller, and playpen fabrics
• Mom's shirts
• Anything else that could come in contact with baby's skin

When you pre-wash your baby items before baby comes home, do not use fabric softener on these items. Fabric softener may reduce flame resistance when used on children’s sleepwear or other garments labeled as flame resistant.

Once the laundry was done, I sorted everything into pile according to age. I put all of the 0-3 month clothing away in my son's room. The rest, I put into storage bins marked with the age. Blogger Nicole Balch of Making it Lovely does a great job of showing off her work here.

Once you have the clothing worked out, work through the room in stages(changing set up, bedding, toys, diaper bag, book selves... ect). Take your time and let your nesting kick in! I finished Monkey Man's room a few weeks before he was born and I remember sitting in the glider thinking "ok, NOW you can come".

A final thought on the organization of your little one's room: enlist your girlfriends that have gone this way before. They will have great ideas on where things should be to make your nursery the most functional room in your house. PLUS they will love looking at those newborn diapers and comparing them to the size 4s or 5s they currently use!! HUGE difference!

Stuff of the week

Great for strollers, car seats and high chairs, meet the Baby Buddy Secure A Toy. These little straps kept Monkey Man from starting with the whole pick up game, and prevented the loss of many stroller trinkets. Keep in mind that you should never leave your baby alone with any kind of string or cord to prevent strangulation.

Once you little one can sit up, she will be joining you at the table in your favorite resturants. We all know that they don't sanitize those tables after every use, and that handing a baby a plate is just asking for an "OOPAH" moment. These Table Toppers easily stick onto the table and allow you to feed your little one high chair style.

Keep this Sippy Grip Bottle and Sippy Cup holder in your diaper bag at all times. This will save your bottles and sippy cups from hitting the ground 10 million times during one outing!

Try this

One day your toddler will discover TV. No matter how long you plan on keeping your little one away from the boob tube, one day he will catch it on and just might want to set up camp right in front of it. He may even demand it at some point. Monkey man has been able to watch things like Baby Einstein or Baby Signing Time for a while now and has even moved on to Little Einsteins. He would watch TV all day if I let him.
So if your kid gets a little addicted, Try This.
Sunrise Earth on Discovery
It is a great early morning program that I DVR for when I want him to play but he wants backround noise. The good news is, he will see all sorts of fun things but then get bored and start to play while I get things done around the house.
So check it out and see if it works for you too!