Soakers

See where that seam is? Well, there is another front to the soaker. You can have the double fronts up front for a boy.

Or you ou can flop it back for a girl or for a itty bitty that still is only pooping breastmilk.

And while they are small enough - just fold both up. I know it's super absorbency for a little person that needs a diaper like every 45 minutes, BUT for when you have a cluster feeder that takes super pees - it's kind of nice (and for at night when you are praying they sleep for 2-3 hours).


You can put all the pretties you want on a diaper, but you need a good soaker. The top is made up of OBV, zorb, and hemp fleece and the bottom flap is hemp fleece, zorb, and OBV.

Rock Star Diapers

Do I need three? Probably not, but I'm a diaper hoarder. Reason number twenty why I will never sell diapers.





Brandon changed Everett and slapped a cover on him before there was an action shot. However, I finally caught a smile :)

Too Cute

I've got nothing crafty to share, but Benny was being cute.

Yes, those are big boy boxer briefs (which will be used to make a pattern for trainers when we start potty training). We normally give him naked time before he goes for a bath, but his grammy bought him some underwear

When did he suddenly decide to look like he is 4 years old?

His new trick...

Everyday he finds something to get into that I would prefer him not to. Hopefully, he doesn't get too hurt on the gate when he learns it might not be the best toy.

And for the record he was probably without a diaper for 45 minutes and didn't have an accident. I wish he would understand what the potty is for and not just some cool toy in the bathroom that I make him sit on before we get in the shower.

Brotherly Bums

So, how do I spend my weekend? Making matching diapers, of course. I should have napped, cleaned, cooked for the week... basically anything but craft. However, I needed a mommy timeout and something to distract me.

Benny is being studly in his new diaper. He is becoming such a little ham. Seriously, he is too cute sometimes. Our kids are going to have HUGE egos because Brandon and I are both "aww you're so cute", "you're so smart", "you're the best toddler/baby EVER"... you get the point... we are those kind of parents.

Everett and Benny rocking their new diapers. Brandon's arm is there to keep Benny from smushing his brother. We realize at some point smushing will happen, but we aren't quite ready for it yet. Just look at Benny - he is ready to pounce.


Everett is pretty lucky he is cute and has awesome gas smiles to make up for his sleep schedule.

Ta-da. I made a pattern that I'm finally happy with... and it fits both boys! My soaker was too long, but I'll do it right next time and make a post about my soakers. I also tried to make Benny a tank top. I did, but it's too small. One of Benny's smaller friends... ahem Whitaker... will score it since Everett will most likely fit in it during the winter...

Woolly Bums

The rise is awesome. We haven't started having the true blow outs, but I'm pretty confident that this diaper would hold it like a champ.


It's definitely going to fit for awhile - exactly what I want. Everett is 8lbs 12oz in this picture and it's on it's smallest setting.


The two diapers I have will be at the top of the rotation for as long as possible. I may have to make another soaker to add as he gets bigger, but for now it's a practically perfect diaper. My only suggestion would be to sew the soaker in the back so I don't lose it in the laundry! I haven't decided if it needs another snap for wing droop or not... he just lays there so it's not like the diaper is coming undone.

Diapers I Made

So, the elastic in the orange one came unstitched while I was serging. I don't know how to fix it, but it's definitely still usable. They are so silky and I just want to cuddle them. But more importantly - I can't wait to put Everett in them!


I have some knits around. When I get my hemp fleece and OBV I'll make OS diapers.

Now Open: Janice's Sweatshop

I made 6 diapers this weekend.

4 of them still need snaps, but I'm waiting on snaps to get here in the mail. I'm getting much better - there are still mistakes, but they will do.

My serger and I are "on" again in our off again/on again relationship. It's nice when I feel like I can love the machine and not want to throw it out the window out of disgust. I hope we can stay on good terms. I think part of my serger love comes from the fact that I'm getting much better at threading it... and OBV is really nice to work with.

The previous diapers I made I serged, left an opening, and then did my elastic. The final product is kind of sloppy, but it gets the job done. For these diapers I serged last and prayed I didn't catch the elastic. On the first two... I caught the elastic (ugh), but then I got myself together and serged along the correct line.

So, pictures later in the week when the snaps get here and I (by I - I mean Brandon) get these puppies snapped. I spent $35 bucks on snaps so I should be good for a LONG while... I'm figuring at least 24ish diapers... not that we need 24ish diapers, but I have converting to do.

I'm pretty determined to help anyone and everyone learn to cloth diaper. AND I'm getting pretty annoyed at people on TV trying to claim that disposables are better for the environment and giving away free disposable diapers (Ellen... booo.... Today show... booo). Yes, you use more water and electric to clean your diapers - but you want to tell me that is worse for the environment than a poop bomb sitting in a landfill for 500 years? Every single disposable diaper ever used is just sitting around... how aren't people grossed out by that? My poopy diapers from the first couple of years of my life are still just hanging out on this planet and will continue to do so for another 475 years. What about the energy that goes into manufacturing disposable diapers? I'm curious to know how many diaper plants there are in the US and the energy it cost to run those plants.

And doesn't everyone wants to support small businesses? There is mad love for Walmart and Target where you can get your stuff cheap, but what about supporting small businesses when you can? Why not support moms that work from home? There are some really amazing moms out there that make and sell diapers. Why not support them? Some are better than others, but with a little bit of research it isn't hard to figure out who has a good product and good customer service.

Okay. I'm done... for now... I save the health benefits for later.

Fabric

I have 5 yards of organic bamboo velour and 3 yards of hemp fleece on the way. I ordered through coops and saved close to $40. I wish I could get some more Zorb, but only Wazoodle makes it and they have JACKED up the price. Not to mention it ships from Canada and takes forever and their customer service is kind of crummy. I understand waiting for fabric from a coop takes awhile, but you are prepared it to take awhile.

Anyways, OBV (organic bamboo velour) is without a doubt super soft and silky and you just want to rub your face in it. Benny will run right into our room and go right for the scraps on the floor. I'm glad he has good taste. I'm also seriously considering making myself underwear out of it - don't judge (and no, there won't be action shots). I'll probably make Benny a pillow case out of the OBV since he seriously can't get enough.

Hemp fleece is tied with Zorb for my favorite material to use with soakers. Some folks complain of smell issues, but with our Crunchy Clean detergent I haven't had a problem. I also throw some vinegar in with my washes every now and then. I'm pretty positive I've read that you aren't suppose to put vinegar in with hemp fabric, but I do and I haven't ruined it. Hemp needs to be dried all the way otherwise it will get crunchy. I haven't done much drying outside, but I plan on letting it dry outside and then throwing it in the dryer for a few minutes. My hemp fleece is also going to be used to make some nursing pads. I really hated the disposable nursing pads, but it's what I used because I didn't know any better. I really hope I have the time to use this pattern.

And Jill, don't you worry... when you are ready I'll help you get started with cloth. You'll love it... just like Lauren.

I will never sell diapers...

... because I don't know how to take a good picture...

I promise it doesn't suck as bad in real life as the picture.


I know the soaker is super long (not long enough that it sticks out), but it is what works best for Benny (and I'm hoping it will be ideal for Everett).

Just for the record...

If I go into labor tonight it was because I used the snap press instead of making the snap elf. I made a newborn diaper. It's not perfect and I serged a little too close on one leg and caught the elastic... I'm sure it will still function (we will see if a blowout happens). Making small newborn diapers is so freakin' exciting. We have been nesting all day and the diaper just topped the cake.

Pictures later.

God, get this kid out of me.

The craftiness that comes with birthdays...

The number of 1st birthdays is limited. So, while they don't have a choice in what they wear - why not make them shirts and party hats!



Benny was so not down with sitting for a picture, however, Livi was a good little model and just sat there with her hat on... no complaints.

Benny's beyond awesome shirt. I'm not going to lie - I'm pretty impressed with myself.



I didn't make the cupcakes. I don't really bake or cook (nor would you want me too). We also had ice cream cake because the grandparents know their pregnant daughter all too well!

Anyways, it was quite the successful first birthday and I can't wait to see what we do for the 2nd birthday!

More Diapers Done

I finally finished. I still hate elastic.

I don't know how I made my soakers so crappy this time when I used the same pattern as last time. They are also pretty bulky, but that makes for an ideal nap time diaper around here. And honestly, the supplies cost me like $3.50 per diaper. I do have OBV on the way that I paid $6.25 a yard for and some hemp fleece for $6.50 a yard (this doesn't include shipping yet). I'll probably get some zorb too. Zorb is pretty awesome.

I got supplies for Benny and Livi's party hats. I figure this is going to be the only time we will ever get to torture them with something like a party hat so it's game on.

I'll take pictures at the end of the week before we head to PA of what I get done.

My to do list for this week:
2 party hats
1 dress for livi (unless I get obsessed and make more)
1 taggie blanket for livi
*2 taggie stuffed animals (we will see about this)

Sometime soon I will need to make some newborn diapers. I really don't want to use disposables at all with Everett, but we will see. Benny had all the nasty tar poop come out while we were still in the hospital and his circimsicsion healed pretty quick.

I should probably get to making nursing pads too. My milk has come in and is ready to feed Everett. Hopefully, he will be a champ like Benny and we can figure the nursing thing out quickly again.

updating my want list

You can cross off Bumbleride Indie Twin AND a Brother 6000i.

The sweatshop is back up and running. I even put the elastic in those diapers from forever ago. They might be too narrow for Benny, but will work for Everett when he is in a medium.

I have 5 yards of OBV (organic bamboo velour) and 3 more yards of hemp fleece on the way. I haven't ordered any more zorb, but I should.

So, I'll make more diapers. Even if I have too many - I'll give them to friends to encourage them to convert.

I want to make some mama cloth for me.

AND nursing pads. I need nursing pads. I have major leakage issues.

I might need another wetbag. I didn't know that it's best to wash them with the towels... and I probably want one upstairs for when Everett is here.

I want to make a waterproof mattress protector for Everett to lay on while I'm nursing him in bed.

Ugh. I need to order PUL.

Before Benny's birthday I DO need to make Livi's birthday presents and Benny has a friend that is turning one in May that I wanted to make a small present for too.

Everett's blanket is getting there and I guess I'm about one fourth of the way done. I work on that when I catch up on shows via the internet.

Oh, and I really do want to sell shorties and diaper bags this summer... we will see about that!

3 posts in one day... what?

"I am unique"

Threadless had shirts on sale for $5. These are the first shirts that I've bought Benny. Actually, I can tell what clothing I have bought him:
5 warm footed PJ's
3 pairs of Sweatpants
(and that totaled like $30)

Not that Benny will care, but these will be in his Easter Basket. I'd like to find some matching wool to make shorties to go with them.

*Add matching shorties to the list...

I really do want to be sewing, but I'm sewing machine-less. After this weekend I plan on ordering the Brother 6000i and will get serious about diaper making.

Green Shorties

I hope the Mom I'm trading with likes these. I didn't have her kids measurement so I made them just a little bit smaller than what I would make for Benny. My kid is beastly and hers isn't, but she didn't give me any measurements to go off. I know there isn't a picture of the butt pouch, but I swear it's awesome.



Mollybolt on etsy made me some newborn longies and I made her some not so newborn longies. I never took a picture of what I sent her, but what I got in return is obviously awesome.

And yeah... a baby blanket for Everett - tunisian crochet style.

BOOOOOO stroller lady!!!

She said it was mine. I said when I could pick it up. She said that doesn't work. I said what does.

The end.

I never heard back from her and that was Friday. I mean it was a really awesome deal. It's find if she changed her mind, but I find it a bit rude to not get back to me at all.

I'll continue to search the next month or so for an awesome deal, but now I'm probably going to be getting the Baby Jogger City Mini Double Stroller. Hopefully, I can find one to test drive.

But if anyone knows of an awesome and affordable double stroller that sits the kids side by side... let me know.

please don't fall through. please. please. please.

Hopefully, Joey will be picking this up for me tomorrow. I'm going to be such a happy pregnant lady if this doesn't fall through!

My want list that I need to just get over...

I'm having serious "I want this" issues and need to just get it out of my system... and as much as I really do want these things we aren't immune to economy issues.

I really want a new sewing machine. I mean I really want the $700 embroidery/sewing machine, but it is so not practical. So, this is my second choice... the Brother CS6000I. Much more affordable and has great reviews. I might actually need a new sewing machine as the other 2 are dead... the tensions are done the bobbin holders are all messed up and they are just too old to get repaired. Although it's much more affordable it's still $179 and even though sewing is my favorite staying at home hobby I'm probably going to be too busy the next few months to care about what I want to do.

Now, on to the baby stuff. I know we have a bjorn, but I hate it even though Brandon loves it. I need something that carries the baby on my hips. So, here is the carrier of my choice - The Ergo - the BMW of baby carriers. You can put the baby up front or on your back, and it's so cool looking. Oh, and I can use it for either Benny or Everett. I'm a huge fan of baby wearing. In really crowded places it is so much easier than dealing with a stroller. Even at home when the baby just wants to be held... they shut up really fast once you put them in a carrier, but you still can get stuff done. The Ergo has an infant insert. I love the fact that the baby can be in a sling position. I've read a few places that it's easy to nurse using the carrier which is the main reason I want it. I want something sturdy for Everett that I can nurse him in and still be able to chase Benny if I need to. I'm seriously dreading having the baby latch on and only to make him stop nursing because I need my hands to do something with Benny.


Finally, the Bumbleride Indie Twin, the six hundred some dollar double stroller. Don't worry I'm very annoyed that my favorite double stroller is probably the most expensive one. I've been searching craigslist like it's my job for a used one, but they just aren't there (not that I'm surprised they have GREAT reviews).
Realistically, we probably won't get a double stroller because I'll never decide on a second, more affordable option. The front to back ones just seem so hard to steer and we will probably only get 1-1.5 years out of it. I have big boys and they need to fit. The other side-by-sides out there just seem so wide and bulky (and I totally get that ALL double strollers are going to be bulky). Brandon really wants one that can hitch on to his bike, but they are HUGE. The front and back ones are a dime a dozen on craigslist and what we will probably end up getting. I know deep down I'll hate the thing, but I rather be able to go out on walks than stuck in the house, and who doesn't love a clumsy mom who runs into everything because she can't steer a stroller?

Fluffy goodness

I freakin' love this diaper... it's so environmental science. Heartland dream diapers are so well made and SO affordable. This is a size small and will probably go up to 16-17 pounds (so it will get a few months of love) and was $14.



I got all 7 of these diapers for the gray longies I made. They aren't made with PUL, but some other water proof fabric that I haven't tried yet and won't try until Everett gets here. Right now these make up the majority of my small stash. As you can see, Benny was being "helpful".


Itty bitty fluff. I'm pretty sure this one is the softest of my diapers and has some good stretch to it - it's a diaper bunny diaper and once her website is up and running I'll add a link!


Itty bitty fluff with a matching shirt. I'm a huge fan of the ooga booga print and I can't wait to put Everett in this. The WAHM behind MacAdoodles makes no money at all... I mean she can't possibly. The diaper was like $12 bucks and the shirt was a present. I've told her to raise her prices because she is a one woman sweat shop and that she deserves to make a few bucks, but she does it because she rather see babies with cloth on than disposables.


And a not so happy Benny when I wouldn't let him play with the camera strap.