Adventures in Cloth Diapering

We began using cloth diapers about a month after Mars came home from the hospital. My parents bought us 6 months of diaper service as a shower gift. Diaper service is awesome! If it weren't outrageously expensive we would have continued it until Marley was potty trained. However, at the end of August we had a choice to make: do we try cloth diapering on our own, or do we go the disposable route?

Now, we are not completely anti-disposable. We use them at night, when we travel, and when we're going to be out all day. After all, who wants to have to rinse a poopy diaper at a restaurant? But, when our diaper service ran out, we decided to go for the cloth. I bought a set of unbleached Chinese prefolds (pictured above), borrowed and bought several diaper covers, and after a few initial hitches (mostly having to do with figuring out how to wash them), it's actually been surprisingly easy.

However, now that Mars is pushing 25 lbs, and rapidly growing out of the diapers that have cushioned his behind for the last seven months, we come to another fork in the road. And...we have decided to continue down this path of cloth diapering. I'm searching online this week to try and find a good deal. Toddler size diapers appear to be a bit more expensive than infant size, so if anyone has any hints on where to look, I'd love to hear them! Wish me luck!

Update

I won't be going to Michigan after all. The services where yesterday, so it would have been really difficult to make it out there in time. I wish I could be there, but I feel better knowing that I was able to be with my dad the day he got the news. My really big disappointment is that I won't be able to make the Memorial being planned for her this summer in the upper peninsula because we'll be in Europe.

Here's my grandma's obituary. She had a pretty amazing life!

Collins, Mary Elizabeth (nee: Rogan) - died April 11th, at the age of 85. Mary was born in Calumet, MI on June 19, 1923 the fourth of seven children born to Elizabeth (nee: Polvi) and Howard Rogan.

Mary lived in Michigan her entire life and was the mother of ten children. She graduated valedictorian from Calumet High School. During the Second World War she worked at a Ford Assembly Plant as a “Rosie the Riveter” building bomber planes.

Mary (aka “Bahama Mama” and “Mary Sunshine”) was a very caring and generous person. Her life was spent serving others and giving. She was well respected and liked and will be sadly missed by her many friends and family. She loved bowling, golf and especially casino stops on her way to and from the Keweenaw Peninsula. She cheered the Pistons and Tigers and Michigan State during the Final Four.

Mary is survived by her children, Polly (Chip Hartinger) Skolarus, Mary Beth Pettinato; Pat (Wanda) Collins, Kevin (Carol) Collins, Kim (Glenn) Martin, Shawn (Mary Burgner) Collins, Kerry (Tony Hammonds) Barton, Michele (Richard) Daniels, Kathy (Bill) Diggs; 17 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and her sister Rita “Deetz” Brulla;

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry Paul Collins; daughter, Candis Baggett; grandson, Patrick Pettinato; brothers, Paul, Norbert and Kevin Rogan; and sisters, Gertrude Miller and Ann Sturm.

Visitation will be Monday from 3-8pm with a 7 pm Rosary Recital at Temrowski Family Funeral Home, 500 Main St. Fenton. Mrs. Collins will lay in-state Tuesday 10:30 am until the time of her funeral Mass 11:00 am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Fenton.

An additional memorial mass with be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Calumet, MI on July 7, 2009 at 10:30AM.

Boulder, CO

For spring break this year, my family rented a mountain chalet in Boulder, CO. We had a fantastic time hiking, sightseeing, and visiting with one another. The chalet was perfect.

Downtown was fun with plenty of shopping, food, and clubs (Yes, Sarah and Alicia dragged me out dancing one night:)

The views were breathtaking. This is Chautauqua Park where we hiked, and later, where Marley played at the playground.


We had mixed weather, ranging from snow when we first arrived to 70+ degrees later in the week. We chose a nice day to drive through Rocky Mountain National Park.

We saw herds of elk all over the place there. Some even crossed the road right in front of our car!

We hiked on a path along the river in Boulder and couldn't resist climbing up these rocks.

We took a tour of the New Belgian Brewing Company and the Celestial Seasonings Tea Company (Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of CS) - both with plenty of free samples. Yum!


Mars loved the Butterfly Pavilion. He was a little young to fully appreciate the butterflies, but he sure enjoyed running around the play area.


Marley dyed his first egg. I think the whole thing was very confusing for him. You have to check out my mom's video of him "enjoying" his egg. Pay special attention towards the end after he's destroyed the egg, he does the sign for again.

The trip ended on a sad note when we got word that my grandma (my dad's mom) had passed away Saturday morning. I was glad that I was able to be with my dad as he got the news and that we were all together. I'll probably be traveling to Michigan later this week for the funeral. I'm not yet sure if Mars and Jeff will come along. Although I'm sure Marley would love to see his "Ba-Ma" and "Ba-Pa" again so soon!

15, going on 16

This week Marley had his 15 month well-baby check up, and his follow-up with the OT at Swedish. It was a busy and exhausting day, but we're happy to report that Mars is perfect! As if we didn't know that already:)

The OT says that his gross motor, fine motor, and cognitive development are all within the normal range. He did a great job showing off his skills by picking up small objects, climbing stairs, and of course - walking all over the place!

At his well-baby check up he got weighed on the grown up scale, fully clothed for the first time. He now tips the scales at 25 lbs, the 55th percentile! And he is 32.5 inches tall - the 83rd percentile! (No, that's not a typo.)

He did great with his vaccinations, only crying for a minute, and even smiling at the nurse and waving "bye-bye" to her afterward. We couldn't be more proud!

Just Act Natural

Boy. Not only am I getting lazy with posting on the blog, I'm also getting lazy with taking pictures. These videos, taken last Sunday, were the most recent things I could come up with. Not to make excuses for myself, but part of the problem (as you will see) is that Mars is very interested in the camera. What usually ends up happening is that he is doing something incredibly cute, I run to get the camera, he sees me with the camera, stops what's he's doing, and comes over to have a closer look.

In this case, Marley and I were playing a lively game of chase. He was laughing hysterically as he tried to "run" away from me. In the first video attempt, he sees the camera right away. The second time I got smart and started recording when his back was to me. But, I think he sensed something was amiss and turned to investigate. In the last video see a bit more action, mainly from behind. Perhaps this is the only way you'll be seeing Mars from now on. Good thing his little tushy is so cute!

Two Weeks Later: Walking Update

I can't believe Marley has only been walking for a couple of weeks! While there's still a great deal of falling down (he currently has a black and blue knot on his forehead from a run in with the coffee table) we've also seen some definite improvements. The weather today was perfect for playing at the park. This is Marley's second playground of the day. Walking is fun!

Future Star Pupil

Future Trouble Maker

Future Star Teacher

Future Trouble Maker