It's All About the Fluff. No 'Sposies.

Kevin and I are far from the greenest people on the block. But one of the many discussions we've had since getting pregnant is whether or not to use cloth diapers. We researched a little bit in the beginning, but one or two days of searching for answers and that was that. There was a lot of info out there and it seemed so confusing! A few months later, I started registering and we decided we'd just go with disposables (or sposies for all you cloth diaper mommas out there). We received one package of diapers at our shower, and I just thought about all the diapers we'd have to buy after that, because that one tiny box wouldn't last a week! After that, I decided to do a little more research to compare costs, efficiency, brands, etc. of cloth diapers.

Here are a few great blog posts about the cost analysis. There are so many more out there! Research is your best friend for this.

Squawkfox gives a great pricing analysis from birth to being potty trained. She used 30 months as her timeline (although, who knows how long it'll take to potty train each child).  That was 7,354 diaper changes for 30 months using an average of 8 diaper changes a day (more for a younger child and less for an older). Her price point for disposables was 26 cents per diaper. This costs $2,349! And if you have two children in diapers at once, it's even more!

Her average for buying cloth diapers was $450. It's a nice middle ground. They can cost more or less depending on the system you choose and how addicted you are to the cute prints!

Modbots used a comparison of what it would be like to have 4 children, and that one really is a great eye opener since most of us have more than one child.

So, after much research and talking it out, we decided to go the cloth diapering route. Here's what we have so far.

Newborn set. 12 fitted Kissaluvs, 4 XS Bumgenius, 3 Blissful Booty, 5 S Bumgenius, 2 wool covers, 7 newborn PUL covers

One sized diapers (not complete yet, but will continue stash as she grows.) 13 pocket diapers so far, extra inserts, and one cover

25 prefolds, 12 microfiber & hemp inserts, 3 covers

Our stash was all bought used. We picked up bits and pieces from different moms who had cared for their diapers really well. That's why we have way too many covers, but they were a great deal! I also don't know what will work for her little tush yet, so we're trying all in ones (AIO), prefolds, pocket diapers, all in twos (AI2) , and fitteds.

I'll update with the different diapers when she arrives and how they work for her. So far, this has been such a fun journey. I'm already an addict. Yesterday, I actually bought 4 more newborn diapers, because they were a great deal. One of our local baby stores, Soft and Cozy Baby, is going out of business. They have consignment cloth diapers, and they were all on sale! We bought 4 for just $14!! So, now we actually have 27 newborn diapers. She'll be going through them a lot though :) 

For all of this, we've spent right at $300. That's a great deal. I'd recommend going the used route if this is something you'd like to try, but don't really know where to start or what will work on your baby. You can always resell them, remember, so it's at no loss to you. Plus, less diapers in the landfill and more cash to spare each more are always a plus.

Diaper draw. There are some disposables in there for her first meconium poos!

And for fun, an update on this gal who will be wearing these cute diapers soon!!

Two of my best friends. Can't wait for baby Williams to meet these two

35 weeks. Yes, I know I blend in with the wall. I didn't think that trough before the photo.

36 weeks!

Rule Breaker

My parents would tell that's the story of my life. I would say, I learned it from my dad.  Rules have always been a more of a suggestion than than a demand.  Granted, there are some rules I just won't break. I'm a chicken when it comes close to doing anything interfering with the law (except speed "limits").

Today, I'm not breaking any rules that will land me in jail, though.

All through my pregnancy I've been able to run. I've been blessed to run - even through the first trimester. I never had one second of morning sickness. I didn't feel pregnant until I was more than halfway through this pregnancy. But, sadly, my running is ending at 35 weeks pregnant. My beloved Merrell shoes had a few too many miles on them, but I continued to run. That's just what I do. I push limits. This time, it didn't work out in my favor. My right foot took a beating and I'm pretty sure I have extensor tendonitis. Nothing damaging or serious. I just need a lot of rest and ice. And since baby H dropped around 32 weeks, my pelvis is sore for a day or two after my run. Kevin thinks I walk like a grandma post runs these days. So, with much grievance, I'm laying my shoes to rest until I can continue with exercise after the baby is born.

Back to rule breaking...This whole pregnancy, I've also been able to *gasp* ride my bike...on the streets of Baltimore. And I'm still doing it. Yes, I'm 35 weeks pregnant. Yes, you can judge me. Yes, all the books and blogs tell you not to ride your bike late in your 2nd and 3rd trimester. But you know what...my balance is pretty darn good still. (I can even hold some yoga poses longer than some non preggers.) I actually just came back from a 14 mile bike ride and feel great! I wouldn't do it if I didn't feel comfortable. I'm not trying to harm my body. I just happen to know my body better than anyone else. If I felt uneasy riding on our potholed streets, I wouldn't ride my bike.

I've also taken a "warm yoga" class. It's not quite as hot as Bikram. The room is somewhere around 94 or 95 degrees. Taboo. Yes, I know. Again, I was listening to my body. I asked my teacher ahead of time if it would offend him if I walked out. While I took the class, I chose to rest during some things I knew I couldn't do. I modified all the twists. I drank my entire water bottle. I also did some pretty great balance poses (at least for someone who is 35 weeks ).

While I'm not condoning everyone to go out and do things against the books, I would say listen to your body. You know what feels good. You know what hurts and what makes you feel uncomfortable. I'm sad to have to give up running at this point, but I'm okay knowing I still have other options. I'll continue with my bike riding, warm yoga, Barre, and cross training machines. All of these things feel really good.

Are you a rule breaker or rule follower? I've broken many other unwritten pregnancy rules, but I'm not divulging all of my secrets right now!

And here's the latest picture. It was just taken Monday, so a few days late! I can't believe I'm 35 weeks today :) 5 more to go!