Comparison-A Diaper Review

I've been pretty stressed out this week, probably why I've managed to blog twice.  When I'm stressed blogging really helps me unwind.  It takes my mind elsewhere.  *breathe*  *ahhhh*

Ok, to me cloth diapering is hands-down one of THE best decisions we've ever made for our family.  I was planning on doing the Flats Handwashing Challenge that I did last year...until I found out that it was while #1 was out of town for a week and I had all four kids by myself plus 7 ballgames scheduled in that time.  (Thankfully 3 were rained out)  I'm not a complete idiot and quietly bowed out of the challenge.

So instead of blogging about how you CAN wash your own diapers if there was an emergency and cloth diapering CAN be done on any income level (you can technically diaper a baby from birth till potty trained on $50...click on the link above to see how) I'm going to do a quick diaper review.

 Here is most of our stash of diapers.  There are a three pockets, two All In Ones (AIO) and some miscellaneous covers missing-most are in the wash.  I'll define those things in a moment.  I'd like to say first thing that NO ONE needs 28+ diapers in order to cloth diaper.  (I also have NB diapers I'm not even going to get started on today...so I probably have more like 40 some diapers)  We have lots for two reasons.  I've cloth diapered two children at a time three times.  Also I used to blog for a cloth diaper blog that would give me free diapers as compensation.  A third and TOTALLY irrelevant reason is because I may or may not have a cloth diaper habit.  Or should I say "had" a habit.  I've bought one (cloth) diaper since May of last year.  Not bad.

So here in the picture above are 23 cloth and 23 disposable diapers.  The 23 disposable diapers came in a pack of 36 which cost $10.  Those diapers cost about 28 cents each.    You can get cheaper disposables (these are Luvs) and you can get way more expensive ones.  We use one overnight and occasionally send Sweet Pea to the nursery at church in one.

So there sit 23 disposable diapers with a cost of $6.39  The 23 cloth diapers on the left cost me $369.04.   WHAT?  You spent nearly $400 on DIAPERS????  Well, in a minute and I'll show you that you've spent nearly $2,000.  Per kid.

 Here are my Kawaii diapers.  These are my cheapest.  I also have a very pretty purple one with white daisies that a friend gave me when Sweet Pea was born.  You don't want a picture of it right now, I assure you.  Pocket diapers have a cloth insert you put inside, then pull out to wash.  All of mine have snaps in the rise so they fit a variety of size babies-often from about 8 pounds to 30 pounds.

The three polka dot ones cost $12.95 each and come with double inserts as they can be used overnight (and they work!).  The yellow and red cost $10.95 each and while they are ok, they are cheap and haven't held up as long as others we've had.  The velcro isn't attached well.  They are comparable to the Bum Genius diapers you'll see in a minute...at first...the quality tapers off much quicker.  I'd recommend the snap (instead of velcro) diapers.  The red and yellow have been used on 3 kids.  Keep that in mind.

 Ah, I'm in love.  Bum Genius diapers.  Buy 5 get one free.  But I never bought 5 at a time, so I paid about $17.97 (current price) each over the past 5 years.  These are also pocket diapers.  Eight of these have been worn by three kids.  I have a little stretched elastic at the legs of a couple of them that were LMM's and one velcro is getting quite used...but other than that they are FANTASTIC.  I have a Bum Genius AIO (in the wash) but it takes a long time to dry and I don't appreciate that.  These are my recommendation to anyone wanting to cloth diaper.  Take the plunge, buy these, and be happy.

These are also pocket diapers.  I have a cute white one with rainbow snaps-I believe it is still hanging out to dry as they dry S L O W.  They're made of organic bamboo.  I couldn't find these being sold anymore, they now have microfleece instead and are retailing for $15.99..but I don't think that is the price I paid for them.  Two of mine I have had on 3 kids, two of them on only 2 kids.  Many many people have complaints about these diapers...but I don't. Except the slow drying time.  These fit skinny babies.  I have skinny babies.  Got a chunk legger?  Don't bother.  Got a long and or skinny kid?  Fantastic fit.  Oh, they're called BabyKicks.  

 Diaper covers (be careful when you go to buy pockets that you're not getting covers...read carefully) are used over fitted diapers (ACK.  HATE.  They're these fleece things that LOOK like what's above and have to have a cover over them.  I think they leak and are kinda useless but others rave about them.  My blog, my opinion!) or you can put them over flats or prefolds.  Flat diapers are what I used last year in the Handwashing Challenge and are a single piece of fabric that you fold.  Go to You Tube and search "flat folds" and you'll see lots of examples.  Prefolds are what many people still use as burp clothes today.  They are thick in the middle and thinner on the sides.

The purple cover is a Palm Tree that I got for free as a promotion.  I don't know exactly what one by itself would cost as the site I buy from sells them in a set of covers, flats, and fastener.  My best guess when dividing all that out is individually it would be about $13.21.  It has been fine but I don't use flats a ton.

The pretty pink and white one is a Bummis Whisper Wrap.  It retails at $12.97 and also has worked fine.  I do use both of these over velcro pockets these days.  Why over a pocket?  Because at nap time or anytime she doesn't have pants on Sweet Pea removes her velcro diapers.  #1 prefers velcro diapers so I don't have many snap closure ones.  So if I don't have a snap closure diaper to put on her, I put one of these over it so she can't take it off.  I call it security.

The diaper on the left is a Thirsties Duo diaper.  Thirsties is the first brand I ever bought.  I started with them because they had cheap covers with good reviews and all I could afford was a few covers and my mom gave me all the old flats and prefolds that were mine when I was a baby.  I still have a couple of those original covers (even Snug used them) but have sold most of them off.  I like the Thirsties Duo diaper but not as much as my Bum Genius ones.  At $17.50 each, I'd rather pay the extra 47 cents and get diapers I love.  It is a good diaper, and this print is cute.

Last and absolutely least is my (not so) Happy Heiny.  I don't have lots of nice things to say about it.  I've owned 2 and when this one joins its friend in the trash someday I won't shed a tear.  I think it is intended for chunkier babies.  It just fits poorly.  Again, other people love them.  I wasn't going to talk about NB diapers, but I do want to say something nice about this brand.  They have a NB size diaper that I really really like.  This particular diaper is a pocket and retails at $18.97.

Ok, so like I said, pictured was about $369.04.  That's based on current pricing, but diapers really haven't changed in price much in the past 5 years.  That seems like a TON of money.  

But think about this.  We'll base my numbers on a pack of 36 diapers for $10.  Say you change your baby only 6 times in 24 hours (when they're little way more than that I would hope).  That's 168 diapers a month-$46.67 a month.  Most kids are in diapers at the very least 24 months-most much longer-overnight way longer.  If you don't take into consideration that younger babies need to be changed much more often (but  have 5-6 more diapers per pack) and that as they get older there are LESS diapers per pack, and that many people pay more than $10 per 36 diapers you still get $1,120 for one kid to be diapered, and many people would consider that to be a low estimate.  

Suddenly my $369.04 doesn't seem like much.  Now I admit we buy one pack a month, so we spend probably between $120-$150 a year on disposables.  HOWEVER...of the diapers pictured, you'd only NEED about 16 and if you did all those in my favorite Bum Genius diapers at buy 5 get 1 free you could change your price to $251.58-much less.  Those diapers fit (per the manufacture) babies 7-35 lbs.  

Keep this in mind too.  Cloth diaper babies potty train months earlier than their peers.  They often are trained (even overnight) right around their second birthday.  According to the University of Michigan The average age for kids in disposables is girls 29 months and boys 31 months-and not overnight.  They say "it is common for children to wet at night until they are 5 years old".  Guess what?  Back when everyone used cloth, the average age to start to potty train was 18 months-and be diaper free overnight by 2.  MANY cloth families today will tell you this is very possible.  

One more thing.  With my large stash $369.04 plus lets say 2 years worth of disposables $300 (on the high end) I'm spending $669.04 (that four cents is really important, evidently .  Still not the (low) estimate of $1,120.  BUT IT GETS BETTER.  Of the pictured diapers, 13 belonged to LMM (read: three kids have used them), and all but maybe five or six (can't remember) BOTH of my girls wore.  So the cost goes down again.  Because it isn't $369 (dropping that four cents, its annoying) PER KID, its that PER FAMILY.  

If we are blessed with another baby, there are several of my diapers that might have to retire.  Always sad.  I've only ever had to ditch maybe 5 or 6-and all but one of those I bought off of other people who had used them on 2+ kids.  But even if I got an entire new stash, I'd still be saving money...and the environment (don't get me started).  

I admit cloth diapering isn't for everyone.  Neither is babywearing.  Neither is co-sleeping.  Neither is breastfeeding.  Or amber teething necklaces.  Many many things about parenting are not one size fits all.  I just wanted to put this out there for parents who are considering cloth diapering.  

Now I've blogged and am all de-stressed and ready for a three day Memorial Day weekend!  

THANK YOU to all the families who have lost a loved one to help make our country free.  We are so blessed to live in a country where we can decide babywearing or stroller.  Co-sleeping or crib.  Breast or bottle.  Amber or Tylenol.  Cloth or disposable.  So very very blessed.  

Doing Disney Thrift & Tips

The best way to do Disney is to be related to my brother.  Without him so so much of our recent trip to Florida wouldn't have been possible.  Free park hopper tickets were a blessing I never ever ever saw coming.  However, there are MANY other things we did to save money that I'll share with you.  Your kids (probably) wouldn't know the difference and they can add some magic without making you broke.  I also added some general tips.

Thrift:  If you can, camp.  There is a campground that you can stay at and it is a fraction of the price of a hotel.  Especially if you own a RV/camper this is great.  You still get to use all of the amenities (nice pools, campfire with Chip n Dale) and Disney transportation.  

 We had hopper tickets that we were able to use at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  Because Fantasy Land just re-opened the week before we were there, we couldn't use them for The Magic Kingdom.  First tip:  If you get to plan WHEN you go, go between Thanksgiving and Christmas in the middle of the week.  Our longest line was 15 minutes.

 Here's the Magic Man.  LMM thinks he has all the tickets to everything in the world.  He states that fact frequently.  We're at Animal Kingdom here where there is a great safari ride with real animals.

Tip:   save your child's photographic memories.  Don't take every family picture with one of them in a backpack.  You'll get the above results.  HOWEVER, taking a backpack for a young child as well as a stroller is GREAT.

 Animal Kingdom has a large "Boneyard" play area for kids.  While several of us rode Mt. Everest (we took turns going) the kids played in here.  It is all fenced in so they can't get out without you.

 There are two can't miss shows at Animal Kingdom.  Finding Nemo was AWESOME.  The Lion King was Equally awesome and takes some crowd/child participation.

 I haven't mentioned it on here in a long time, but LMM still has some special reactions to certain situations.  His Sensory Processing Disorder is something he may have to live with for the rest of his life.  Being in long lines (we didn't know that there wouldn't be any) and being around lots of people can bring out a side of him that can be hard on him and others around him.  We got a pass the very first day at Guest Relations that acts as a fast pass for him. Tip:   If your child has special needs (Autism, SPD, Diabetes, etc.) and long lines are a problem, I suggest you go talk to guest relations.  We only used the pass one time, but it was there if he needed it.  We actually saw the stress of the trip with him after we left Disney and it is just settling down.

 Hollywood Studios has a large Pixar area.  One of my kids' favorite rides was one that you were in an arcade game with the characters from Toy Story.  Even babies could ride, which was the case several times. Thrift: kids two and under are free into the parks.

Tip: Take lots of pictures.  I am so glad I did.  Tip:  I took a small camera with me so that we didn't have to carry our large expensive camera.  I did take it to Animal Kingdom to get good safari pics, but I was glad not to have it all the time to worry about breaking/have to carry/get stolen.

 Tip: don't stop to take pictures with characters unless it is their very favorite/there isn't much/any line.  Because it was slow we were able to do a couple, but you can wait a very long time instead of doing other things.  You can take pics as you walk by, just cut off the kids who you don't know (If they are short) and have a picture of the character to keep :o)

 The Beauty and the Beast show at Hollywood Studios was one of Rosebud's favorite things.  She was very tired going in, but CAPTIVATED the entire show.  Weird story...when we left there I didn't have her and I saw a man walking away with her on his shoulders.  I ran up to him and stopped him.  Then I looked closer. It was a little girl the same size as Rosebud with the SAME shirt on, very similar shorts/shoes and the SAME hairdo.  Freaky.  He was amazed when he saw Rosebud at how eerily similar they were.

 At Christmastime in Hollywood Studios they have a huge light display.  It is set to music and a lot of fun to see.  

Tip:  Baby Backpack.  Did I already say that?  Ok- take it one step further.  Beg/borrow/buy an Ergo.  My SIL had one and it was great.  My niece was very happy.  We now have one too that I got cheaper than many used ones on an after Christmas sale.  Our baby backpack you'll see pictured ripped while on our trip and we use it daily.

 Thrift:  After Halloween sales are a great time to get a $2 princess dress.

 Tip:  If you want to see princesses (or Mickey) the building is on Main Street on the right as soon as you walk into Magic Kingdom.  Get a fastpass first thing in the morning with a time to return and not have to wait long.  When we were there three princesses were in a line and the girls met all three.  Cinderella is Rosebud's FAVORITE princess and the only one she really wanted to see but she was polite to the others.  You need a fastpass for EACH person going in to see the princesses.

 Thrift:  Take your own princess.  I was blessed to get Rosebud's dress FREE on a Facebook mommy group I belong to.  It was being given away because the little girl didn't use it anymore and it was stained.  I washed it on delicate with Oxiclean and it was like brand new.  It says don't machine wash, but it was fine.  You can spend $189 to get a similar look at the Bippity Boppity Botique.  You'll get dress, hair, crown, and makeup.  I put her hair in a bun, put a crown on (this one was also free from a mommy swap but you can find them at Claire's or a garage sale) alone with her free dress and WAH-LAH princess for a day.  About 50-60% of all 2-8 year olds are dressed this way at Magic Kingdom.  I'm glad I was told ahead of time.

 I don't know it it is always this way, but Mickey was VERY generous with his time.  He took time posing with the boys.  My brother had fastpasses for them to get in and I didn't have one for Rosebud, they let me through cause I had the camera...

 ...Mickey motioned her over anyway and they hugged.  And hugged.  And hugged.  I kept telling her she needed to leave and he shook his head "no" at me!

 Tip:  You can have the photographers who are taking the pictures you can buy from Disney use your personal camera (they give you a little plastic credit-card like thing to use during your whole trip that keeps all pictures you have taken on an account that you access online when you get home).  Just stand and let them take their "professional" picture too.  Then you get your whole group in a shot.

 Tip:  Have Mr. Magic be your uncle.

 Thrift:  Pack in your lunch/snacks.  Disney is very nice about letting you take in your own food and drink.  They do check all bags coming in to make sure that you're not bringing in anything you shouldn't, but food and drink are not prohibited.  This will save you a LOT of money.  Tip:  Don't forget a bib for little princesses!

 Another lunch photo.  She's just too cute not to include enjoying lunch!

 Fun Fact:  The Dumbo ride in the new Fantasy land is now a DOUBLE Dumbo ride.  They have 2!  And on  top of that...there's no waiting if you don't want to!  They have an INDOOR play area.  When you get there they give you a pager and when it is your turn, it goes off, you collect your kiddos, and you ride.  Brilliant!

 No tip.  No thrift.  Just cuteness.

 Thrift:  Buy ahead of time.  I bought the boys Disney shirts at Goodwill ahead of time.  No one ever knew.

My MIL bought all the kids red Disney shirts that they wore the first day and they were nice because they were all easy to spot. I also used them on the plane on the way home for airport ease. Tip:  Dress your kids in the same color!

 Thrift.  Get great goodies at home and take them. I bought the kids these giant lollipops (they thought I had gone insane, we are very stingy about sweets) for $1 each at Kroger.  I slapped on Disney Character stickers that came in the mail (one of those DVD clubs).  I saved over $10 for three compared to what I would have spent in the park.    Guess what?  The wrappers on the suckers at the park had the EXACT same stickers on them.

 Tip:  At the Magic Kingdom do not miss the Laugh Floor from Monsters Inc.  It is hilarious.

 Thrift:  Take your own glow.  I got swords for the boys (above) and a wand for Rosebud (below) for $1 at the dollar store.  I also had glow bracelets from Michael's Craft store 15 for $1.  I didn't take them in our carry on luggage as I don't know if they are ok, so call your airline or put them in your checked baggage.  TIP:  Put them in cardboard to make sure they don't break on the trip.

"My mommy lost her mind and I LOVE IT!"  Ok, really this was a once-in-a-childhood trip to a magical place.  I let go a little and let them have fun.  

 Tip:  Don't buy souvenirs in the parks.  Pretty much everything they sell in the park they sell at Downtown Disney in the Disney Store.  You don't have to waste time in the parks shopping, don't have buyers regret when they see something they like better AND you don't have to carry it all day!  Thrifty Tip:  Spend 1/2-1 day at Downtown Disney.  Its free and so much to do.  Thrift:  Get free glitter at the Bippity Boppity Botique in Downtown Disney.  Tip:  It won't wash out for DAYS.

Thrifty Tip:  Don't buy the ears.  There really is NOTHING to do with them when you get home.  They won't wear them.  Put them on, take a picture, put them back :o)

 The Lego Store at Downtown Disney is awesome.  There are tons of things made out of Legos.

 We literally spent an hour in this store.  You can build, watch videos, and of course, shop.  I got the boys a Christmas present here.  It is a tub that you fill with whatever you want from this one wall for $7.99.  I got wheels and windshields and flowers and all kinds of special pieces.  I made sure to get an even number of everything and split them between the boys.  My SIL was VERY good at getting them all to fit in the tub :o)

LMMs favorite thing at the Lego store was where you build a race car and race.  An employee oversees it and calls the winner.  There are also Duplo tables for the younger crowd.  

I hope this helps someone.  I've had lots of questions, and I've tried to put all my tips and thrifts into one post.  I'm sure I forgot a few things.  I want to say thanks to everyone who made this trip possible-from matching t-shirts, to plane/park tickets, to a van to use, housing, and help with the kids.  We appreciate it so much and the kids still talk about the trip daily.

Playing Catchup

So.  Between the Flats Challenge and my computer being dead (hard drive is failing...be ready for me to be out of blogging for quite awhile at no notice) I have been a bit behind on our summer events!

 First up was strawberry picking.  We found this great place not too far away thanks to Jenilee.  Although these aren't organic, the farm uses minimal chemicals in their crops, much less than what is in strawberries you buy in the produce section at the grocery.

 I swear my kids each ate a quart of berries.

 I snapped this cute picture and then got that berry out of Sweet Pea's mouth.  It was her "first solid", although she didn't ingest any of it.  Strawberries are a high allergen...so probably not a good thing.

 The boys literally walked out of that place with handfuls of "free" berries.

 Little Monkey Man finished preschool.  This is his FIRST day of school...

 ...and this is a picture of his last.  He had a great year and we continue to see improvements in his speech, adaptation to new situations, ability to transition, and with his sensory issues in general.

 Ah.  Potty training.  Sassy McLassy has been doing great, terrible, and everything in between.

 She has days and days where she is fine.  And then she decides she isn't going to use the potty.  So we convince her otherwise.  Cause we're not going back to diapers.  Much.  There are times where her bowel is so messed up she can't help but have accidents.  We do have a date to take her to a GI specialist this month.

 We got to see some friends who we haven't seen since she and he were only a few weeks old.  He wanted to be friends.

 She wanted to tattle.  Tattle. Tattle.

 We all "ran" a 5K.  It was for the FOP that #1 belongs to.  #1 and Snug ran it.

 Mommy had Sweet Pea in the sling.

 And two in the double stroller.  I didn't run.  But I got MUCH exercise.  I also don't recommend babywearing and speedwalking with a double stroller.

 Here he is after the race, very proud of himself.  After all, he beat five people.  Mommy, Sweet Pea, LMM, Rosebud, and some lady he didn't know.  What a race buddy.

 Rosebud loved the race.  She got to eat.

 And eat.

 And eat some more. And what goes in must come out.  So that is loads of fun when she can't control it.  We kinda let her pig out because at nearly 26 months old she is barely hitting 22 lbs (on a good day-often closer to barely 21).

Here was Snug on his first day.

And here he is on his last day on Tuesday.  He loved his teacher.  I think he thought she walked on water.  She was cute as a button, so can you blame him?  He had a great report card.  The only things he didn't get perfect were that he makes the number "3" backwards and a couple of letters incorrectly.  However, he writes sentences on his own, reads on a beginning 2nd grade level (with fluency), and has great comprehension.

Watch out summer, here we come!!!!!!!!!!