My Cloth Diaper Monkey Turns 1

Today was Monkeys birthday.

He has been in cloth diapers from day 1.  He is still a 100% cloth diaper baby.  He is also my 6th baby, all cloth diapered. My oldest child is 19.  Ive been at this 19 years and loving it.  I love being a mom, I love cloth diapering.  The number of years actually spent changing cloth diapers is a little more then 11.  My kids have potty trained around age 2.  Some took days, some weeks, one took months.  Thats because his dad let him fall in the toilet and he was scared.  

How do you succeed at 100% cloth diapering?  Don't use sposies.  Its like breastfeeding; use a bottle and you will undermine yourself.  

Is that cuz sposies are easier?  I don't think they are really easier, but it can feel that way.  Yes cloth means rinsing diapers, extra laundry and it seems like more work.  But consider this: 

•your supposed to dump the poop from sposies into the toilet (legally).  Most people don't though.  

•Yes I have to do laundry every other day, but know what? I don't have a giant laundry pile that I'm gonna need to haul down to the laundry mat to use 5 triple loaders.  Cloth Diapers means I never get behind on my laundry.  A little extra work today means I don't have a day of overwhelming laundry.  

•Sposies are notorious for poopslpions that cloth holds in.  No one takes that into account when adding up the work of diapering, ebf poop clean up of clothes on a regular basis?  That would suck.  

•Also I have a bullet proof night diaper system.  Hybrid fitted under wool, change half way through the night.  I never have a wet bed that needs sheets and mattress cleaned... Any sposie moms able to claim that?  

•Cloth diapering is guilt free.  I feel awesome about using them.  Sposies would leave me with an environmentally guilty conscience.  And guilt is time consuming.  

•Lastely they are super cute.  

The only bad thing is that apparently not everyone wants to talk cloth diapering and see my diapers.  Except other CD moms, and almost every grandma.  Grandma's love me though lol.  They think I'm awesome.  

So Happy Birthday my Monkey, sleep sound in your cloth.  

Answering: clothes I picked to work with the Mommy figure

I (excitedly) told a group of Facebook friends about my capsule wardrobe shopping trip.  And from that was asked what I picked to work with my mommy figure.  So I'm writing this... A post I never thought I would be writing lol.  First a few notes and disclaimers
•I'm a size 9 pants large shirt for the mommy belly which isn't actually from having Monkey or my other kids...its from a winter of donuts.  I'm also an A cup and my bum is not the bum of my youth lol, it has the sag of my 40 years lol. 
•I'm not a fashion expert.  I'm a seamstress though so I do know a thing or to about fabric. Drape and clothes....but mostly I know about powwow clothes and baby clothes.  Also I feel I should admit that I'm a fan of Nirvana and as a 90's teen was very grunge....but my clothes have grown up since then, in general, mostly as of last night lol.
•I went shopping at Giant Tiger and I'm thrifty.  GT is a Canadian discount department store.  Not big like Walmart or Target, small department store.  You can find similar styles in nearly any store.  And of course, check the clearance racks!
•I need clothes to be nursing friendly.
•These will not make me look like I'm a size 3.  They just make me look good at NY current size.

Maxi Skirt and Banded waist t-shirt.
I love maxi dresses.  However they looked better when I didn't have belly.  So I got a maxi skirt with a drop waist.  Drop waists are awesome at belly coverage.  Same with a t-shirt with a banded waist.  It helps smooth out the belly, and blouses the shirt nicely.  Gives me a nice, smooth silhouette.  I also got a cream and blue scarf with a butterfly print.  I love scarves.  I don't use them to hide myself while nursing.  Actually Monkey pulls in them and pushes them to the side.  I usually remove it while nursing. 

Jeans:
I got three pairs.  What they all have in common is this:
•they fit, properly.  Both in the waist (no muffin top), and the bum (hold up the mommy sag.
•one is twill, 2 are denim (one with Lycra).  This means they have form and structure that jeggings frequently lack.  Plus they will wash better. 
•regular rise waist.  First time in decades I haven't bought low rise but it was time to face that me hiking my low rise jeans up over sag with muffin top spilling out just isn't all that sexy. 
What's different?; one is a faded pair of capris.  After all summer is coming.  One is a regular jean with a boot cut and some rainbow stitching (to appease my child like heart).  This was my difficult purchase.  I love skinny jeans.  I have the legs for them.  But I used to love a flared leg so we will see how I like them.  It was a maybe purchase.  Risky, I know.  And the last pair is black skinny jeans.  These are twill.  Twill is as heavy as denim but with a softer (brushed) feel.  They are pull on (no button or zipper), like a jeggings, they have some Lycra for stretch, but the heavy fabric gives them that jeans structure. 

The blouse:  I got a very light weight flowy  blouse.  Its army green cuz my daughter wants to share it.  This means I still need a black one for my slacks.  Its not too loose (flow) that it males it look like I'm wearing a tent (too big is also not flattering).  And its not to small that it grabs my belly.  It has structure I. The design to make it fit a female body.  The other blouse is a maroon. Berry kind of colour.  It has an elastic waist.  This functions like the banded waist.  In fact it works so well I'm adding elastic to the waist of a large yet beautiful too I was gifted. 

Splash of red:

I got a sleeveless crossover red shirt.  It has a banded waist also.  The criss over cascades which is always a great belly hider.  And the splash of red can brighten, cheer or sophisticate any plain pair if pants.  Its Jersey knit and yet can be dressed up or look casual.  Shirts that do this are great wardrobe pieces. 

Cami's:
I like a good tank under my clothes.  Often in replace of a bra, but not always.  And cuz I like it tucked in to keep my back warm (personal thing).  Also if I have to pull up my shirt to nurse (I prefer to pull shirt down though). The cami's fit. And feel good.   And I brought a bra.  Let's face it, those boobs look best when help up, even if they are only a tiny bit of sag. 

All the shirts work with all my pants.  The blue one also works with a summer skirt I kept.  The black cami works with both my slacks (I kept, they fit) with one of my mini cardigans, but a black summer shirt that's a bit dressier would be good.  I like shirts I can wear year round and just add a sweater. 

I kept a few tank tops, a winter shirt, a summer shirt,  and my black nursing T-shirt.  Like I said I also kept my two slacks (one is a funky summer pair).  Also my leggings and a pair of sweat pants and two hoodies. 

No yoga pants? 
Yeah, sorry, don't own any.  And I do yoga.  I usually wear leggings and a tunic for yoga, or my sweat pants.  Ot if at home whatever I'm currently wearing.  Didn't keep any tunics (oh my).  But I mostly wear leggings under jeans or a skirt.  I hate being cold. 

Sweats for yoga? 
If your doing hot yoga or other popular types sweats won't work, your boil, buy a work out outfit.  But I do yin yoga (hold a pose for 5-15 minutes).  I'm not working up a sweat.  It is strenuous but in a different way and I find it very meditative, slows me down, relaxing.  I'm extremely flexible so I can get very comfortable in most poses. 

So there you have it.  Create your own budget capsule wardrobe and share :) Just remember to love it and buy what fits you. 

A Mommy Shopping Trip - a lesson in how to be good to you.

Have you readabout capsule wardrobes? (You can read about them at unfancy)   Its about having basic, non over flowing closet of clothes you love   Its an idea I love as I dislike clutter, excess and over consumption.  I often declutter my wardrobe.  However what I don't do is properly stock it in the first place.  Previously I compensated for this by raiding the closets of my teen daughters.  However I'm bigger post baby. 

So I was feeling kinda down.  I added weight over the winter and my clothes were mostly not fitting well.  Add to that a wardrobe that was becoming thread bare and didn't have "outfits". 

How is this important to mothering?  Its very important.  Our emotional and mental well being effects those around us.  If we don't feel good about ourselves, we don't preform our best.  We are also less likely to go outside, make healthy choices etc. 

So after reading an article about capsule wardrobes that referenced unfancy, I went and read it.  She has just (the other day) gone on hiatus but go read.  I read and I decided, I need this.  I need clothes that are in decent shape and are flattering.  But I'm thrifty.  So I went clearance shopping. 

Now here's the golden nugget.  I went and was very honest about my new size.  I am a size 9 pant, large shirt.  That's a bit to swallow when I was a size 3 just 2 years ago.  
Could I have squeezed in to a 7?, a stretchy 5?  Yes, cuz I have been.  But then I'd be back to sporting a muffin top.  Just cuz we can get into a certain size doesn't mean it fits. 

The point is to feel good about how I look.  Accepting my current size means the clothes will look good.  No muffin top.  And when we lie to ourselves we don't feel good.  Yes I went back to eating proper portion sizes (last week lol) and will likely drop the extra 10 I gained over the winter.  However that doesn't mean buying the size I hope to wear and look good in eventually.  I need to feel good now. 

It was a success.  I got 2 pairs of jeans, a pair of capri's and a maxi skirt.  I also got 5 shirts, a bra, to cami's, a scarf and socks.  Thenbas soon as i got home i brutally emptied my closet and chucked stuff that will be taken toba thrift shop tomorrow.  I kept 2 pairs of slacks, a few shirts, skirts and sweaters.  I also (in the back of my closet kept 3 dresses I hope will fit again). My closet and dresser have room to spare.  And my new wardrobe is adult (no skinny screen print tees).  I'm 40 in 5 weeks. 

I feel good.  I look good.  I'm ready to go take Monkey out all over town.  Chat to other moms at the park.  I feel confident.  I don't feel old.  Buying age appropriate but fashionable clothes made me feel younger, not older. 

I don't have the suggested 10 pairs of shoes.  To me that feels like over consumption.  I have one spring jacket and a sweater jacket.  I plan to find a purse.  Monkey doesn't usually need more then 2 diapers when out now so I could throw his stuff in a purse.  All I need it for is my wallet and cell phone lol. 

The lesson:  be good to you, look after you and be honest with you.  The smile, the confidence and the pride will make you mother to your fullest. (I will do my hair before going out lol)

New "lovey" idea!

Some babies like "lovies".  It may be a blanket or stuff toy of some kind or any random object.  Many parents (and babies) find such lovie objects a helpful tool for night time, naps or when cranky. 

Monkey hasn't found any such object.  He has a few stuffies but only is interested in the horse one that I made, and only as a plaything. 
He had one if those adorable beanie stuffies attached to a soother.  No interest in a soother. 

Have some of those muslin blankies and one with tags.  As thing, likes them to play with, especially the muslin ones. 

Monkey wants my nipple to me this soothing item to be rolled and twisted between his fingers.  Ow and no lol.  Lately its been me nursing with my hand over my other boob.  Until today :)

Today I wore a new shirt from my mil.  It has tassels.  Monkey has just lovie'd the tassel to sleep on my lap. 

Like as I wrote this he was playing with it while nursing, fell asleep and came off the boob.  He's puckered out from his birthday party this afternoon.  

So I'm going to buy two blue tassels (maybe two brown also).  And I'm going to sew them on the end of his muslin blankies.  Then im going to buy what i need to make my own amd sell with my diapers, carriers and swim diapers.  Im all excited.  K off to look online at simplifi! 

Behind the scenes of Monkey's 1st B-day: truth, limits and compromise

Monkey is my 6th child.  I've learned a few things about what makes a good birthday party.  Each decision comes down to 3 things: truth, limits and compromise. 
Some starter Truths:
Do party prep and clean up the day & night before.  It all will take longer, hours longer then you think!  You might stress a bit.  Its OK, we are moms, we do that.  Most will have husbands that go to bed perfectly relaxed.  They will not be stressed.  Take a page from his book and go snuggle in bed.  (I didn't, I should have lol).  You will not take all my advice, or all of anyones.  Some things you'll insist on learning on your own.  That's OK.  We are human moms, not demi gods.

How old is the birthday person? 
Monkey is one (in a few days).  What makes a good birthday depends on age. 
•truth: 1 guest per year is not a good idea.  Do you want 16 teens at your child's 16th bday?  No! I promise you don't.  That's a stupid rule, don't use it. 
•limits: limit the guest list.  A 1 yrs old doesn't care if you invited everyone they have ever met.  They won't even remember it.  We are inviting grandparents only.  A huge guest list for babies and toddlers usually results in a meltdown.

•truth: not only will Monkey not remember all (well any) details of this party but you and the guests will only remember a few details.  My 19 yrs olds 1st bday, I remember she screamed when she touched the icing.  The cake wasn't smashed.  We laugh about it now.  I also remember she got an adorable ladybug outfit that I loved dressing her in. 
•compromise: everyone not invited can see pics.  They well ooh and ahh. 
•compromise: pick the right time.  We aren't celebrating on the day.  Its not a must, chose a day that works, likely a weekend.  Monkey is 1, so evenings are not a good time.  The party will be a noon when he is least likely to be cranky.

What are your skills?
•truth: I am not a professional cake decorator, party organizer etc. 
•limits:  yes make a few awesome things so you and your guests are impressed.
•compromise: buy some snacky things that are premade and just need to be heated. You want time to enjoy this day.   We bought sugar donuts, quiche and samosas.  I made garlic bread and summer chicken salad wraps (recipe at bottom).
•compromise: ask someone special to bring something.  They will like being included, unless its over the top. 

Cake:
•truth: everyone knows I'm not a professional cake decorator.  I choose easy patterns, used cookie cutters for shapes, and watched you tube videos.  It doesn't look pro but it still looks pretty awesome.
•limits: my new oven and I aren't best friends yet so I used a box cake and did the decoration myself.  
•compromise: I am happy with an awesome cake by an average mom, it doesn't have to look pro to be awesome. 
•truth: The not as good side is facing the wall.

Decorations:
•truth: again, not gonna be remembered outside of the pics you take.
•limit: stay within your budget! It's a birthday.
•compromise: again. Not pro.  Do what you can make look good!  A simple streamer design, matching table covering, paper plates, accessories. 
•limits: don't go over the top.  Simple will look better. 

Gifts:
•limits:  kids are easily overwhelmed.  Keep it simple, gifts too.  We have picked one from us. 
•truth: what does birthday person really like?  Monkey loves the vacuum, not the super cool new fads.  So for him a fisher-price corn Popper toy like we had when little. 
•compromise: let your guests decide what to get.  Its fun; for them, they likely want to do that.  If asked for ideas, give a few ideas.  If asked for a specific; give one....one!  If they want more they will say so.  Yes if there are big no-nos, say so, with tack.
•truth: children,  especially boys can make a toy gun out if anything!  I swear, they are like mini McGuiver's on this.  Ban them from the gift list if you want, but your kids will still make one, even out of their hands and finger.

Birthday Outfit:
Truth: what's your budget?  Its only gonna fit 6 months. 
Comprise: baby, toddlers and kids want to play.  You might want a fancy outfit, but choose one that is comfortable on the kid.  Or go for cute over fancy
Limits: you can't have it all (red carpet outfit, smashed cake, non ruined red carpet outfit).  Use a bib, a big one. 

Some social truths:
•if you invite your kids whole class (school age), or your 50 "closest friends" etc; people will see this as a cash grab. 
•this isn't a free stock up on everything you want for your child's coming year; if you expect 26 things you really want; people will be offended. 
•this isn't the event of the year (except to you),  1.5-2 hours is great.  If out of town family wants to visit more, let them. Just them gets to stay and catch up. 
•the 1st birthday is mostly about family (blood, marriage or chosen).  If baby or toddler needs to nap, let them nap. Your family wants to see happy baby and you. Not crying baby.  Naps happen.  Go with it and enjoy some adult time. 

Reality Check:
•truth: if you play cruise ship coordinator or try to do to much, you will miss much of the party and totally regret it. 

All right, hope that helps you have a great birthday filled with the best of memories. 

Summer Chicken Salad Wraps:
(My own creation, so there are no measurements, I just throw it together.  Its OK, you can cook this way, I promise it won't go wrong)
•Cream cheese
•mayo
•cucumber
•cherry tomatoes
•chicken
•lemon
•dill

- cream together equal parts mayo and cream cheese. 
-chop finely (or food processor but I don't have one) cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and cooked chicken
-mix into cream cheese - mayo.
-add in lemon juice and dill. 

Now put in wraps, roll, toothpick and cut in half.  Also good in a bowl in fridge for quick sandwiches.  

Diapers per meter (lil more then a yard)

Ever sit there starting at a fabric order wondering "how much do I need". Well here is my break down for you if your making a butterfly fitted (the diaper I most recommend making). 

Flannel:
If your making a butterfly fitted from flannel (which tends to be more narrow then other fabrics) I can get 4 diaper cuts per meter (2 across, 2 down) with a little left over.  So out of 10 meters I get 14 butterfly Fitted's that are 3 layers thick.  (That's 9 layers folded). 
20 meters flannel = 28 diapers

Fleece, Terry and CV:
Using hemp or bamboo-rayon fleece (HOBF, SHOBF) paired with cotton fleece, terry or cotton velour (CV) I need one layer each.  Its wider then the flannel and I can get 3 across.  So 1meter hemp or bamboo-rayon fleece + 1 meter CV, terry or cotton fleece = 6 butterfly Fitted's (folded that's 3 layers hemp or bamboo-rayon, 3 layers CV, cotton fleece or terry),
4 meters fleece + 4 meters CV, terry or cotton fleece = 24 diapers (5 each = 30 diapers)

Fleece and Flannel:
This one is more tricky (math wise).  Ok so if you want to pair 1 layer hemp or bamboo-rayon fleece with 1 layer flannel.  Then 2 meters hemp or bamboo-rayon fleece is 12 cuts and 3 meters flannel is 12 cuts.  1 cut each = 12, 2 layered diapers (folded that's 3 layers hemp or bamboo-rayon fleece with 3 layers flannel).  
4.5 meters fleece + 7 meters flannel = 27 diapers

* this applies to solids, vertical prints and universal prints.

Swim Diaper TutorialTutorial - with hack for using mesh.

Swim diapers are fantastic.  Back when my oldest was little (19 years ago), you had to have your swim diaper inspected and some pools were uncertain about them.  Time has proven the cloth swim diaper though and now some pools are banning the disposable swim diapers (cuz of the weird stuff they leak) in preference for cloth swim diapers.

My first swim diaper was pul lined in one layer flannel with a Velcro strip.  Now they are lined in athletic wicking mesh.  Much lighter when wet.

To make today's swim diaper we used the Aquarius swimmer pattern from sewmamasew.  (This was a project at the metis centre today).  You can use any swim pattern you like though.  (Note these fit smaller then a cover as they are not going over a diaper).  That link takes you to the tutorial, but I've made a small change.

You will need:
Pul
Athletic wicking mesh/jersey
Universal thread
Foe (fold over elastic)
Ball point needle
Snaps and snap press (or velcro)

So start by tracing your pattern onto your PUL on the back side.  Use a bright marker.  I used blue, wish I'd used red.

Now lay your mesh over top of pul (on back side) **no cutting has happened yet!

Pin like crazy.  Normaly you don't pin pul but swim diapers sole function is holding in poop, so its ok to pin.  I pinned inside and outside the diaper outline.

Next straight stitch the two fabrics together about 1/8th- 2/8th inside the outline.  Now you can cut out the diaper.  This way that stretchy mesh hasnt gone wonky while cutting and is the exact same size as the pul.  Awesome right?  It's also going to make adding the foe easier :)

         (This has 2 traced and pinned)

 Next place your fold over elastic (folded over) on edge of diaper (leaving a tail.  The tail is for finishing).   Your going to sew this down with a narrow width zigzag (at edge of foe).  You do this just like bias tape.  Your pattern has areas where you don't need elastic so dont stretch the foe.  And areas that do need elastic stretch (legs, back & front waist) so do stretch foe (to the fullest) in these area .

Sewing foe un stretched around tab
(Pin marking elastic)

Sewing foe fully stretched through legs and waist.

Since this is for a swim diaper I marked the elastic placement with pins, points sticking towards foe.  This way when I folded the foe over the edge of the fabric the needles stuck through and were not in my way.

Now when you have only and inch- inch and a half left tie off your thread (back stitch).

Then measure to see how much foe is needed to finish.
Pin together the foe (right sides together) using the tail you left at the start.  Straight stitch them and clip close to seam.  Now fold back over edge of diaper and finish sewing (zigzag stitch).

Now add the snaps.   

And your done.