An On-Line Cloth Diaper Education

So, there's a lot of info on cloth diapers out there. I am really, REALLY big on research and real life users, so I've found a message board I like, as well as some blogs I like to look at for reviews, etc. I've also some links to good online stores, as well as the one that has a location nearby wher eI can go and actually see and feel the diapers.

As I've said before, I think we will go with one-size diapers (adjustable, so you won't need to buy new as babies grow--especially helpful with twins who *might* not grow at the exact same rate) with pocket inserts (removable, for speed in drying). There are many other options, including all-in-ones, which take longer to dry, and prefolds, which are your more old-fashioned style of diaper, with a separate waterproof cover.

The brands that I am liking best (but haven't tried any yet--obviously :)--are Smartipants, Bum Genius 3.0, and the Gro-Baby System. I also have some fuzzibuns. I'm still torn b/w the velcro closures and the snaps--both seems to have pros/cons. I'm planning on getting some of both so I can see for myself....

Here are links to each of those product pages:

BumGenius: http://www.bumgenius.com/one-size.php

Smartipants: https://www.smartipants.com/

Gro-Baby: http://www.thenaturalbabyco.com/gro-baby-i-54.html

Fuzzibuns: http://www.fuzzibunzstore.com/store/home.php (bad website for info...)

~video reviews: I like these b/c you see the diaper being put togther and used and hear what the reviewer has to say:

http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/cloth-diaper-video-reviews/

http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/search/label/Product%20Review

~blogs I like to keep an eye on for info & articles:

http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/

http://www.theclothdiaperreport.com/

http://www.theclothdiaperexperiment.com/

http://www.clothdiapersmadesimple.com/

~message boards and sites I like for info. Has good info for how to wash and dry, and how to solve problems, etc.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppdiapers There are probably others that are more active, but this one has info on stripping the diapers (which is washing them to make them waterproof again, after some soap build-up) and fixing stink issues, etc. You do need to use special detergents that are not soap to make the diapers work better, be waterproof, and not need to be stripped. I even found a "recipe" for making your own detergent somewhere...I'll have to find it! I'm thinking of buying the Country Save first.

http://www.diaperjungle.com/ really FULL of good info!

{detergents list: http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html }

Cloth Diaper Stores

http://www.comfybummy.com/

http://www.kellyscloset.com/

http://www.cottonbabies.com/

http://www.diaperjunction.com/

There are really tons more options and ideas out there--this is just where I am starting and the info I have found most helpful, so far. I'm certain things will change once the babies are born and we actually start *using* the cloth diapers.

33 weeks--woo-hoo!

Another week, another great milestone! It feels so good to get this far without any complications!

I had another OB check and NST today, and the babies are doing great! The NST was a bit slow at first, even though I ate a BIG breakfast, so they had to get out the "buzzer" which is a loud buzzer they place on my belly. The loud sound startles the babies and made them move around like CRAZY!!!! After that, they passed with flying colors, but it took me a long time to get them settled down again. My poor babies--I'm sorry to do that to you--next time I'm going to eat some chocolate before I go to get them moving on their own :)

My bp was low still--great news! So, for as lousy as I am feeling, the babies are happy as can be!

The one new development is that I have begun to dilate--just a tiny bit. Dr. said it was a fingertip to 1cm, so not much, but it is a change fro

m where I have been before. He also said my cervix is still very long, so he doesn't feel that labor is imminent. But if he had to guess,, he'd say we'll meet these babies by 36 weeks--yippee! That's really my goal, anyway, so let's hope he's right!

We got our 2nd crib from a friend, and it is set up in our bedroom, so the babies can sleep in there until we are ready to move them into their room. I also got a used EZ 2 nursing pillow, so we'll see how that works out. Some people love them, some hate them, and some don't end up nursing both at all. So, I figured buying one gently used on craigslist was the way to go! Let's hope it works great and I'm able to tandem nurse both babies for a good long while! Although the pictures on the website are bit overwhelming...as you can see here :)

http://www.doubleblessings.com/servlet/Page?template=testimonials

I tell ya, this twins thing is just CRAZY!!!

And here I am--actually 32 weeks here, but haven't taken another pic--will take one for the 34 week update...in november--yay!

32 weeks and all is well :)

So, I know it's been ages, but there really isn't much to report--happily! So far I have been blessed with a fairly uneventful twin pregnancy, and for that, I am so thankful! I'd been worrying throughout this journey that we wouldn't be able to handle many complications with our two other little guys at home. I mean, how could we survive bedrest? Or extended hospital stays? So, Ive been doing all I can to take it easy--rest and relax as much as possible, and all other things, like housework and shopping, have been handled by my wonderful husband :)

So, this week we have reached that wonderful milestone--32 weeks! I am so happy! We had an ultrasound on monday, and everything looks just great! The babies are both growing nicely, with Baby A weighing 3 lbs, 15 oz, and Baby B weighing 4 lbs, 6 oz. Baby B has always been bigger than her brother, so I wasn't surprised by this news. I'll be curious to see how big they end up, as it seems that so many times, these u/s estimates are kind of far off. but my tech says there is only a 1/2 pound of give or take--hmmm, we'll see :) But no matter what, they are growing and getting bigger--yay! My other boys weighed 7-5 and 8-2, so I'm already topping them, and I've still got a good few weeks to grow!

The only news that I didn't like hearing was that Baby A is still breech, and shows no signs of turning--I think he's very comfy right where he is--although his sister has been kicking him in the head for weeks now, so you'd think he's like to turn around, just to kick her back :) In fact, that's what I'm coaching him to do now, when I talk to him--wonder if he'll listen? If not, we're sure to have a c-section, which I'm not thrilled about, but we will do it if we have to.

I also had my first weekly non-stress test, and that was a piece of cake. Both babies passed with flying colors, and it was a nice chance for me to sit back and relax--who knows how many chances I'll get to do that?

And as for me, the further along we get, the more uncomfortable I feel. I'm just not sure how these next 6 weeks are going to go--it's so hard right now. I can hardly walk, sleeping is so uncomfortable, and my belly is just so huge and uncomfortable, too.

And the latest is that my face is really starting to puff up--my lips are so full--it's ca-razy! But the rest of my face is full too, which is not nearly as appealing :) I swear my nose has even grown--hope it'll return to normal afterwards. My fingers and toes have started to swell, too, nothing major, but not so comfy. And I'm hot--very hot, anytime I'm out in public anywhere. I feel like a furnace, set on high heat--ugh!

Well, taht's about it for now. I promise to update more often, especially since so many of the pregnant twin mommy blogs I've been reading are now having their babies :) Oh, and I'll post a new picture shortly--although it's not a pretty picture :)

My First Cloth Diapers!!!

So, I had a little party/shower with some of my friends last night, and although they think I'm cRaZy for thinking about cloth diapers, especially with twins, they are supporting me :) And, along with some adorable new baby gear, they bought us 2 cloth diapers from FuzziBuns. I was so excited to get my hands all over them, and I have to say, they were VERY impressed with the diapers also. They had gone to a new local cloth diaper store in a nearby town and had "lessons" from the owner on the different types an styles that are avaialble, and they chose the Fuzzibuns as their preferred daiper :) And they also gave me a very generous gift certificate to the store so that we can go and buy some more. I am so excited! And thankful for such kind friends!

For those of you who are not familiar with the new generation of cloth diapers, here is a video of the new one-size FuzziBuns from one of my very favorite cloth diapering websites, The Cloth Diaper Whisperer. Aren't these diapers awesome?!?!

I have to give a shout-out to the store, too, as they have an online store as well as their new storefront, so I encourage you to check them out if cloth diapers interest you! The store is called Comfy Bummy (so cute!) and I encourage you to check them out!

30 weeks--And were those contractions?

Well, I'm so happy to report that we have made it to 30 weeks without any troubles to speak of. And I'm feeling like I can make it now, just a few more weeks. I can't walk, I can't bend over, I can't sleep, and I can *barely* wipe my bum (!) BUT I feel positive that these babies are going to keep on baking for at least another 4-6 weeks for me, and I'll enjoy these last moments with them inside of me.

I was at the OB on monday, and everything is checking out perfectly, so I can't complain. One new development is that I need to up my iron supplement, which I am already taking from 1 pill/day to 2. It is hard to believe this, as I feel like such a carnivore, but I'll do what they say!

We also will be starting NST's at 32 weeks, and will do them weekly. I've never done an NST in my other pregnancies, but I guess it's just another precaution to make sure all is well in my "baby-house." Conveniently, the first NST is the same time, same place as my next ultra sound, so we can do them both at the same time. After that, it'll be double appointments, as I'll be seeing my regular OB and going to the MFM for the NST every week--ugh! More babysitters for the big boys....

Now, about those contractions...let me just remind everyone that I have done this before--twice. I should KNOW what contractions feel like, right? But last night, around 1 am, I was lying there, feeling some tightening and some pressure that kind of felt like I had to go poo, and it took me a few minutes before I clicked that these might be contractions. And then--PANIC MODE!!!

What??? Contractions??? NOOOOOOO--I'm only 30 weeks--this can't be happening yet! I'm going to have a complication-free pregnancy--no pre-term labor me! And please, no bed-rest--we can't do that with our other two kids! Needless to say, my mind was RACING--full speed ahead--who should we call? Who can come over here in the middle of the night so I can go to L & D? Or should I just go alone? And my older son has field trip today--who will take him? And on and on and on....

Then I calmed myself down, got my big old body out of bed, and went to the kitchen to drink a few big glasses of water. then I laid back down, on my side, and proceeded to time/count the contractions. My MFM and DR. Luke both said 6 or more in an hour, so that's what I was hoping to avoid. Well, I had one more, much less intense than the couple others I'd already had, and then, to my surprise, not another. I calmed my little head down, stopped panicking, and fell asleep, without another twinge to be felt!

So, now I know--I'm going to be panicking about this if/when it happens again! I need to sort these things out, and make some arrangements. Because although I'm feeling pretty good about reaching 30 weeks, I still have quite a ways to go, and I do not want these little pumpkins to be born just yet.

Stay put, little ones! Although I complain every day about wanting you out, it's not really your time yet! All in good time....