Toddler Tantrums

It has been a while since I posted something personal about our Surinne.  She is officially 2 years old and I couldn't be happier.  Every minute means something even more is about to happen, be learned, or discovered. The wonder of toddler-hood is definitely not ceasing.

My personal fave moments have come to be the tantrums!  Early on, I reported that my favorite baby face is the "angry face," and that still rings true.  Nothing much has summed up pure of-the-moment emotion than "angry face!"  I think toddler-hood sums up how we as adults really want to act, but cannot.  Unfortunately we have to be adults: all responsible, presentable, professional, and crap.  Now that toddler-hood has entered "angry face" has gotten even more entertaining!  Surinne is learning that she has choices, desires, and disappointments!
Minnie Mouse over: tantrum; Wait inside while momma feeds the dogs: tantrum; "Can you go poo poo potty?" "NO!": tantrum; Not wanting to put on shoes when momma asks: tantrum; Putting on shoes  when momma says no: tantrum; Wanting to eat cheese instead of peanut butter sandwich: tantrum; "Do you want bread?" "YES!" and then when momma gives the bread: tantrum; No more crackers: tantrum; "I don't want that!": tantrum; "Mine!": tantrum; Time out: tantrum.  This list can go on and on...
Luckily, I captured one of the worst tantrum moments on video the other day!  A tragedy occured when I showed up early to pick Surinne up from day care.  The kiddos were watching a movie and the snack of the moment was POPCORN!  Who doesn't love POPCORN?  I for one could eat popcorn all day.  Apparently so can Surinne!  I know my sitter found this moment hilarious.  She is witness to Surinne's tantrum shenanigans on a regular basis.  Now you can be too!

Do you enjoy your child's "angry face?'

The WHAT About Cloth Diapers?

 So we have spoken about what cloth diapers are really made of.  Now it's time to really get down to it and explain what these things really are.
Here's the lingo....AIO, AI2, hybrid, pocket, trifold/prefold, cover just to name a few!
So what does all this really mean?
Well, lucky for you, you are reading this blog.  You have obviously done some research, thinking, and maybe even some talking about the possibility of using or switching to cloth diapers, otherwise I don't think you would be interested in what I have to say.  I have to admit...I am not an expert.  I am just a parent who has experienced the highs and definite lows of learning about, and using, cloth diapers.  I will admit that it is a confusing, frustrating, and often times, draining journey.
Let's start with my most favorite/used types of diapers and then go from there.

AIO: This stands for All In One.  This type of diaper is changed in the same way as a disposable. The whole diaper comes off, and you put a whole new one on the baby.  All In One means that the absorbent soaker pad is attached and sewn in and usually comes with an extra booster for heavy wetting/naps that you can either lay on top or snap onto the bottom of the attached pad. This is a very popular style of diaper as many people say it is very daddy, grandparent, and day care friendly.  These are very easy to use, fast, and usually not very bulky.  If you read my last post "Navigating the Cloth Diaper World," you will be able to know that most AIO's are made with cotton knit, bamboo velour, or polyester fleece.  The photo below shows an example of a cotton knit style with extra soaker pad snapped in place.  You can see how this sample looks on my baby model and snaps closed on the sides.






















AI2: AI2, or All-in-2 diaper, is another popular option because it is pretty easy and a little more economical than the AIO.  Again there are many different styles/brands out there, but essentially the inserts are usually snapped in place inside the cover.  The theory is that when the baby is needing to be changed, unsnap the soiled insert and then snap in a clean one into the same cover.  The cover can be used a few times before needing to be changed (unless it is really soiled with poop/pee).  Very easy to use, however keep in mind that inserts are usually brand specific.  This means that not all inserts will snap into all covers.  These snap-in inserts are usually made of cotton knit, hemp, bamboo, and polyester or cotton fleece.  The photo below shows an example of a cotton insert.

HYBRID: This diaper is exactly what the name implies.  This is a part cloth/part disposable diaper system.  The insert that gets put inside the diaper is disposable/biodegradable and is typically held in place with an adhesive.  Every brand of this style of diaper typically sells their own disposable insert.  You may ask yourself, "If you are using cloth diapers why have a disposable insert?"  Well each person is different in their rationale, but my main reasonings are these...diarrhea, travel or long day outings, beach.  Of course I'll admit that it is also a good idea just in case you run out of clean diapers (yes, this really happens), or are too lazy or sick yourself to deal with cloth (yes, this happens too)!  The disposable option is just that...an option.  You can always just use the cloth insert.  Disposable inserts are not necessary, and keep in mind that these are sold separately (and also brand specific) so it is an extra purchase!  The photo below shows what this looks like.

POCKET: This style of diaper is another very popular option for ease of use.  Again the whole diaper is removed during changing, and a new one is put on.  The term "pocket" is used because the diaper has a pocket that you insert the absorbent pad into.  These diapers usually come with a couple of absorbent inserts so you can boost absorbency as needed for your baby, or for longer periods of wear (naps or overnight).  The absorbent inserts for pocket diapers are typically made of microfiber fleece.  This style of diaper is also typically made of polyester fleece so that the baby will not "feel" the wetness upon urination.  The picture below shows an example of this style of diaper.

TRIFOLD/PREFOLD:  This style of diaper is popular for it's economic value.  I refer to this style as "old school" cloth diapers.  As you can see below the trifold/prefold is simply folded and put inside of a diaper cover.  Once this is done you simply put baby on the diaper, bring up the front, and secure it closed.  The economic value of this system is that trifolds/prefolds are typically only $1-$5 a piece.  If you are using a good cover, you will be able to take out the soiled fabric and replace it with a fresh one.  In essence, you will not need to purchase as many covers as you would diapers.  In the photo, you can see how the trifolds/prefolds work.  This choice of system definitely takes a little more getting used to handling and probably a little more explaining for the other caregivers in your baby's life as it is not as easy to put on as the above options (I can attest to this first hand, especially with a mobile toddler)!

COVERS: Covers are simply that.  They are made of PUL so that they are waterproof and hold in the wetness/mess when the insert is soiled.  A lot of covers are made so that they can be wiped clean between changes if needed.  There are many types/brands of covers, but the thing to keep in mind is that they can be relatively cheap.  I have seen covers from approximately $10-$17+.  It really depends on what you want. Economical covers are usually very thin and plain colored.  The fancier the PUL fabric, the more money you will end up spending.  In the photos below you will see a few different types of covers that I own.  They all basically work the same way.  Usually the recommendation is that the cover can be reused 2-3 times before needing to be replaced.  Two types of covers that I use are shown below.

There is more to come on this subject!  One thing you do not realize once you start using cloth diapers is how much you want to talk about them!  Let me know if you have any specific cloth related questions...Are you enjoying the info?

Navigating the Cloth Diaper World

What does all of it mean?
If you are asking yourself this question and trying to figure out if you are understanding the cloth diaper information out there, then you are in the right place.  I know first hand how overwhelming, confusing, and difficult learning about cloth diapering can be!  This post will be the first in a series of helping you to understand what you really want to know.

First up: What are cloth diapers made of?


Excuse any staining you may notice...these are all well loved diapers.  At least you get the real picture! haha....



PUL: (what?!).  This stands for polyurethane laminate.  Wikipedia states that PUL is a compound fabric made by laminating a cloth fabric, usually a polyester interlock fabric, to a thin film of polyurethane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyurethane_laminate).  In essence, this lamination creates a waterproof barrier to keep the "mess" in.  You can see an example of the shiny inside of the PUL in the above photo, and outside (the part of the diaper that you see when it is on the baby) in the bottom photo.  

Microfiber fleece: (say again?) This is the fabric that is typically used as inserts inside pocket diapers.  Microfiber is very absorbent and can hold up to eight times it's weight in water, is very strong, and soft.  In my research on wikipedia, I learned that in order for microfiber to be absorbent the fibers need to be split.  If they are not split they will not absorb.  This is the difference between the microfiber covering your couch and the microfiber in the photo below.  The couch fabric will repel liquid (hence the popularity with moms to protect furniture!) and is easily wiped clean.  It is important to know that microfiber is a synthetic product made from polyesters, polymides such as nylon or kevlar, and propylene.  Of even more importance in cloth diaper usage, microfiber inserts should NOT be placed against baby's skin because of their highly effective absorbency.  They will actually absorb the natural oils in the skin and cause rashes.  This is why they are stuffed into the diaper's pocket beneath the polyester fleece (see below).  For more information please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfiber

Polyester Fleece: (huh?) This is frequently what the top layer of the inside of cloth diapers are made out of.  It sits next to the baby's skin.  This fabric is commonly used because the moister from the urine will be whisked away into the absorbent layer beneath and the baby will not "feel" that the diaper is wet.  It is also a very soft feeling fabric.  This is the same fabric commonly used in outerwear jackets.
Polyester fleece is a manufactured product, and the process to make it is quite extensive.  Of note to me when I was researching cloth diapers is that this product is made out of reacting two derivatives of petroleum (ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid).  This is not to say that polyester is a bad fabric.  I was definitely just wanting to stick to more natural fibers.  I also do not personally enjoy the feeling of polyester fabric next to my skin when I wear it.  Below is an example of a polyester fleece lined diaper.  To read more facts about polyester and how it is made please visit:
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Polyester-Fleece.html#b#ixzz2L3TyAAMi.

Cotton:  In diapers, cotton is used in two forms, knit and woven.  Cotton knit is used in many types of diapers and also as an added absorbent pad.  Cotton knit is what your typical t-shirts are made out of and can come in an organic format.  Woven cotton is basically just like your bedsheets.  In either application the fabric is layered on each other and sewn together to provide for absorbency.  Woven cotten comes in many varieties: bleached, unbleached, combed, flannel.  There are tons of options out there and it all depends on what you want.  Cotton is a popular choice for many parents wanting to stick to all natural products against baby's skin.  This was my case since I knew that a polyester application, as mentioned above, is a synthetic option.  It is also important to note that since there is no polyester fleece over the cotton (in most types of cotton diapers) the moisture from urine is not whisked away.  This means that the baby will be able to "feel" the wetness more, and it is said that this is a good reason for early potty training when using cloth diapers.
The top photo below is an example of a cotton knit fabric, and the bottom photo is an example of woven cotton fabric.

Bamboo: Another popular natural fabric option.  Many diapers may use a combination of bamboo/cotton.  Bamboo is a stronger more durable fabric and more absorbent than cotton; it is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal; bamboo is also hypoallergenic.  These fun facts are excerpted from www.organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/09/bamboo-facts-be.html
As you can see from the photo below the texture is similar to at towel.  Bamboo fabric will also let the baby "feel" wetness.

Hemp: Hemp comes in many forms as well: fleece, french terry, knit jersey, etc.  When used as fabric hemp is typically mixed with cotton fibers in order to soften the feel of it.  Hemp is a popular choice for cloth diapers in that the fibers are three times stronger and are more absorbent than cotton.  (http://www.earthfriendlygoods.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=18, and http://www.the-eco-market.com/hemp-fabric.html)
The photo is an example of a hemp insert/doubler.

There may well be other fabrics used out there, and I do not intend for this list to be exclusive.  I am just here to help.  What other questions do you have about cloth diapers?  Is there anything in particular you want me to cover?  Let me know.  In the meantime I will gather my thoughts to keep educating.

Silly Baby

Surinne is now a whopping 22 months and even more impressive 30 pounds!  She is quite the "hunk of meat" as I like to call her.  I like to describe her as a roast beef.  You see it form a distance, it doesn't really look that big, so you think, "That's the roast for me!  It looks so good, I can make that for dinner!"

Well then you proceed over to the meat section, pick up the roast and go "oh! This is a heavy hunk of meat!"

That is the case with Surinne.  She is a solid hunk of meat!  Someone asked me recently what we feed her.  The answer is actually more what she will actually eat.  I feed her anything and everything.  She'll eat it for sure, but does she like it?  NO.

Truth be told she is a carb lover, sweets lover, and starch lover.  Can't say this was a surprise...my favorite food is pizza, and my husband will eat anything.  He will not eat a salad unless  1) it comes with his burger, or 2) if I actually make one.  

So that is all.  Oh yeah, also she is almost grown out of many of her cloth diapers because her thighs are so big...hence the potty training.

Here is our big girl enjoying a walk along Front Street in Lahaina.
Anyone else have a monster of a baby?

Doing Business

The weekend of January 19th was fun!  I finally did a pop-up event and was able to meet new customers and friends in the process.  The main goal is to keep moving forward and keep up with getting out there, meeting even more customers, people, and friends in the process.

Hoping to expand inventory soon!

Chewbeads...always a HOT item!

ReSnackit bags are easy, functional, and eco-friendly!

Maui Diaper to be added soon!

Shupeas in every color!

OiOi diaper bags make me smile!

Snack or sandwich size reusable, washable, dry-able bags

Closeup of Surinne's Shupeas, Maui Diaper

Chewbeads rainbow!

This is what it is all about!  Amy is one happy momma-to-be now that she will be stylish and comfortable at work!

Is anyone else as excited as I am about my business is growing?!  

Heart the Slow Cooker

I am always trying to be creative with my cooking.  I am finding it more and more challenging lately with all that my life has become, but every so often I am able to return to one of the routines that I love the most: cooking dinner.

I must say that I recently hit a home run!  Just thought I would share...

I call it Pork: Mexican Style

3 or 4 Pork chops (depending on the size.  I used three thinner cut ones with bone in)
salsa (any jarred brand)
diced green chiles
whole garlic cloves (I used 2 medium sized ones, smashed)
cumin
paprika
chili powder
salt pepper
water

Add all ingredients except for pork.  Stir.  Salt and pepper the pork chops.  Add pork to salsa mixture.  Turn slow cooker to low.  I let it sit for 6
hours.  I removed the bones and shredded the pork when I got home.  Then I added left over rice and a little more of the spices.  We used it in burritos with cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Baby loved it!  Especially the sour cream, which she calls yogurt...
*Use spices to taste.  I never measure them, but I go by smell so whatever
works for you should be fine!
Add enough water to cover most of the pork.

Simple, fresh, good.
What's your favorite slow cooker dish?

Potty Training Humor

Not only is having a toddler much more of a joy (for me) than having a baby around, it is definitely filled with more enjoyable, and I'll say humorous moments.  I know that my husband will literally kill me for this, but I can't help myself.  As we are now in the swing of trying to potty train our 20 month old there isn't much else to talk about, monitor, pay attention to, or even think about.

So I feel like the best potty training story I have happened about month ago.
Of course as with all things I have already done lots of research, question asking of all my momma friends, and even inquiring with our pediatrician regarding how to potty train a toddler.  Number one thing I discovered is to let baby go without diaper (which is fine since she doesn't even want one on but since we have carpet I do cringe a little about urine soaked floors and constant cleaning), number two is to use training pants (fine, but I only have a few so far), and finally third is to let her go in the yard (great, but with the dogs it makes it a little hard to let her go without a diaper while outside).  All interesting facts, but I have resorted to taking her with me and putting her on the potty every time I go (another popular technique).  Nothing has really ever happened as I would like.  Well, actually twice she has started to shi-shi (as we say here in Hawaii), gotten scared, and stopped.  I like to refer to this act as "performance anxiety."

Well on one of these occasions of having no diaper we experienced one of the funniest moments yet!  Baby was not in diaper, I was on the computer getting s*&@ done, and daddy was cooking dinner.  To be honest I forgot that we were diaper-less and let a little more time pass than I usually would allow.  Mid-typing I heard my husband say "Surinne, no!"  I promptly lowered my laptop screen to see what was happening.  Out of the side of my eye, I saw daddy doing a flying dive, both arms outstretched, and hands cupped....TO CATCH POOP before it hit the carpet!

Needless to say, I was....impressed!  This act of bravery was definitely well above and beyond what I would have done to say the least.  I couldn't help myself as I started laughing hysterically!  Really what else could I have done.  THE POOP was promptly flushed and I heard daddy repeatedly washing his hands in the bathroom.  Surinne emerged, freshly diapered, and none worse for wear.  Well, maybe except my pissed off, grossed out, gagging husband!

We have definitely moved passed this moment as many more, un-POOP related, moments have happened since.  We are eagerly awaiting the moment that Surinne actually POOPS or pees in the actual potty, but for now we are happy with the fact that she tells us "shi-shi" the moment that it happens.  I keep telling myself "any day now" and we wait patiently, I think!

Would you catch POOP in your bare hands to avoid a very messy carpet?
(In my defense, I most definitely would not.  That's why God invented Bissell Little Green Machines!)