My Life as an African Gypsy

I can hardly believe how long it has been since I have posted. Whoops! This one will be a bit long and I'll divide into topical sections.

Anaya-girl Update

Anaya is now 7 months old, going on a year, at least that is what I feel like. Time is flying. My precious baby girl is becoming more independent and less baby-ish. All she wants to do is hold onto things and stand up. If there is something she can grab onto, she will pull herself up. She still cannot go from laying down to sitting up on her own, but I think it'll be soon. Tummy time is still hated, and I wonder if crawling will be something she ever does much of.

She loves 'chatting'. Her newest sound is "Ba" and I love it! Many times she starts her mouth movement before the sound comes out, and it has got to be the most adorable thing. We've had some "Ga", "Ma" and "Da", but those are random and not consistent or repeated.

She is a very content baby, full of smiles. Lately she'll throw her head back and smile as if she is laughing really hard. At times it will throw her off balance, and I think she'll fall over! She loves when Mommy or Daddy hides behind and chair or wall and pops out.

Baby food is going well. I am not much of a freezer. I tend to make a weeks worth or so at a time and just keep it in the fridge. I make a jar of applesauce and one of pear-sauce with 6-7 pieces of fruit, and it lasts nicely. She eats lots of mashed bananas, which are super easy. She tried papaya today and liked it better mixed with a little banana. Lately she does not enjoy her veggies, but she'll eat anything if you put a little fruit in front of it on the spoon. Whatever works, huh? She eats pumpkin, potato and carrot mix, plain carrots, sweet potato, green beans, and avocado. She wasn't a pea fan, and they stunk, so I haven't made them again. Thankfully she lets me feed her now, making it much faster and cleaner!

She no longer breastfeeds at 10pm and now cloth diapers aren't leaking in the night. So nice.

We went on vacation last week, and Anaya was a dream. 6-6.5 hours in the car was no prob. Entire afternoons out were no prob. Sleeping the in the pack'n'play was no prob. We stayed in a little bungalow, while the kitchen and dining area were covered outdoors. Since Anaya prefers to be outside, she was in heaven.

Anaya does seem to be very attached to Mommy at the moment, and she is less okay with many people holding her. I figure it is a stage, and I am trying to enjoy our sweet cuddle moments, while not becoming too frustrated when she cries every time I walk of the room to do something. She warms up to some people though (how she decides I have no clue) and depending on her mood, she is fine. Yesterday she spent a good 20-30 minutes with a woman at the hospital; I was proud.











General Mommy Update

I am doing well. I was in need of a vacation, especially emotionally, and I praise the Lord for a our short time away. Last month I was jokingly telling people I better be pregnant, because if not, I was just a crazy lady. Turns out I am just a crazy lady. =) We are, however, welcoming pregnancy at any point now. I am more peaceful about it this go around, at least so far, so it is nice not having a tear-filled journey. Sometimes it is an overwhelming thought, and other times it is terribly exciting. The Lord's timing will be perfect, though a winter delivery would be preferred.

Jon and I started Jillian Micheal's '30 Day Shred' a week ago, and we haven't missed a day. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't too hard for me. Anaya must be keeping me somewhat in shape. We'll see how tone this tummy can get before it looks like a soccer ball again.

I turn 27 on Thursday. Sounds a lot older to me than 26, not sure why. I am so thankful for where I am at in life. God has been so good to me.

Furlough is coming up and I can hardly believe our dear families will finally get to meet our little Anaya. It's been a long time coming, and my heart wells up each time I think about it.

Spiritual Update

The Lord has been working on my heart, getting me ready to share my living space with friends/patients from the hospital. When I think through details I get scared, selfish, protective, etc. What the Lord is telling me though is that I need to walk in faith, just take the step. In a funny way I felt/feel similarly about moving to Africa, buying Gasher, Anaya joining us, cloth diapers, homemade baby food, the prospect of homeschooling, etc. When you take the leap; however, it all somehow falls into place. Life adjusts. Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways, but it does.

So I'm loosening my grip on my plans and schedules, not getting rid of them, not even changing them yet, but loosening it up, giving some squiggle room. I am preparing for a work of the Lord, and feel like it is coming. When I thought hard about it, I came to the conclusion that it was more important for Anaya to see us loving and giving extravagantly than for her to have solid schedules and routines. I'll always watch her adjustments closely, and if she ever seems to be struggling, we'll re-evaluate. But for now, my laid back girl seems to do fine.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

So that is where we are at! Hope to update more frequently.

We're at that stage, and I am happy to report we are doing quite well. I am finding a schedule that Anaya eats the most and happiest. For now it is twice a day, usually late morning (10-ish) and mid-afternoon (3-sih). She is breastfeeding every 3- 3.5 hours, so if I feed her solids after about 2hrs, she is usually most cooperative.

I am an impatient Mommy and while it is recommended to wait 4 days after each new introduction of food to watch for allergies, I have been doing two to three new items at a time. Neither Jon or I have allergies, so I am hoping we won't run into any problems. For the past week or so we have been doing oatmeal, bananas, and apples. Today I made those three plus pears and butternut squash. I am excited to see her reactions. I also have an avocado ripening... soon!

After reading this: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/tipspices.htm, I decided we are a spicy family and I'm going to give it a shot, even starting early. I have hopes that this will help the transition to just eating what Jon and I eat down the road. So far we've used cinnamon; however, today I added some vanilla (read note on left side of website), ginger, and nutmeg.

Here's my little how to or how did. Ha.

I walk down the hallway and before each room I find myself holding a breath, just a second, but it happens. My mind races with the questions,"Has anyone died? Will she still be there? Who is on treatment? Is it a rough day?"

I had a few extra minutes after my visit to Dermatology, so I figured I'd pop over an see my friends at Oncology. My sweet partner, Alice, greeted me and updated me on our friends. One in particular was doing quite poorly. We had seen her health declining, but this week did seem worse. A few days prior her face had become swollen, and this day I was told her breathing had become labored. I decided I'd go in and sit with her a few minutes before I had to head home to my Anaya girl.

Before going inside, I sat on the lawn and chatted with a few ladies, one who had gone to the trouble to write me her recipe for fish and greens, since I had been whining that I don't know what to do with fish.

It was only a few minutes.

I was heading inside...

It was too late.

A woman solemnly approached with the news. She just died.

She had been lying alone in that bed, no one with her. Maybe she was unaware of her surroundings. Maybe the Lord was merciful and granted peace of mind... But what if she did know, know she was alone? What if she was scared?

I hate it.

I realize I cannot possibly be there for each one. I realize it is impossible to know and time when a person is going to pass on... sigh. I don't know. There may not be a good solution, but I hate it. I hate that it happens everyday.

Lord, you know I am willing, use me.

So this will be a Mommy blog about random current things in Anaya and my life.

Cloth diaper update: All is well, and it feels normal to me. During the couple days of the move I did all disposables, as I did not want to take dirty diapers along with me or have to do laundry the day after I got in. I am thankful I did that, but the funny thing is, I am always anxious to get her back in the cloth ones.

She has been waking up wet, which is ticking me off, so I may switch to disposables at night. Ideas anyone? We are in double inserts, and I don't really want to triple it up. I change her diaper between 6 and 7 when she goes to bed. I wake her up to feed her at 10, but she hardly opens her eyes, so I don't like changing her diaper then or I have a very awake baby. Anyways, I'm giving it another shot tonight, but washing jammies for everyday of the week is getting old, too.

Breastfeeding update: Breastfeeding is breastfeeding, eh? Every 3 hours (except sleep time), every day I am committed. I have found bottles aren't too much of a break, since I have to pump when I give a bottle. It can be super inconvenient when I'm out and about. I either have to pump early before I leave and not get a whole bottle, OR pump when I get home, usually later than she'd eat and worry about her next feeding being too small. Humph. We work it out, but let's just say breastfeeding is a full time commitment.

Anaya update: 5 months? Seriously? She is getting so interactive. She chats all the time with her little noises, responds to funny things, is ticklish, tries to grab everything in reach, figured out how to jump in her jumper (you should see her go), if she is close enough she wants to drink and eat whatever we have, rolls both ways, sits for minutes at a time, grabs her toys all around her, can pass things from hand to hand, chews everything, and that's just some of it!



I store up little moments in my heart, like when we snuggle and giggle on the couch, or when we read and talk about how much the Lord loves her, while lying on the floor together. I want to guard and cherish these fleeting moments.



I think we'll start some oatmeal cereal soon, when life slows down... maybe next week? I am sure she is ready. I am also going to get her a little sippy cup and see how she likes it.



Mommy update: I am really enjoying my precious girl and adore being her Mommy. Some days I feel like we've got it down, and I get lots accomplished, while other days I feel like all I can do it keep her happy and clean while my list of "to-dos" piles up. Some days I get a nice dinner made, maybe a dessert, other days it is a grilled cheese night. It all part of this beautiful messy life, and it is good. Even the off-days.

And there are off days... like when Anaya wakes up from her nap, sees me and starts crying. I pick her up and she cries. I put her back in the crib and she screams. Like when she is fussy doing everything, so I tell her fussy girls don't get to stay awake and I put her in her bed. (She cries a bit, but usually falls asleep. Can I do that when I am fussy? I wish!) Or when we are at the hospital and I cannot get her to stop crying every time someone talks to her... yeah, those are short ministry days.

Jon is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. He helps out whenever I need him without complaint. We definitely co-parent, and I feel like we are such a good team; I cannot imagine raising Anaya without him!

Layne time - I have a woman's Bible study group here on Thursday mornings and most weeks Jon can keep Anaya. I cannot tell you how filled up I get during that little break with the ladies; drinking some coffee, eating something sweet, and talking about the Lord. I need a little time to feel like Layne, not Mommy. I put on a non-breastfeeding friendly top, get my hair all done, and some make-up on. It's nice.

Tuesday afternoons I also do my ministry alone in Dermatology, while Jon keeps Anaya. That is my chance to pour out and focus solely on the ladies. Anaya goes with me to Oncology on another day of the week, and we minister together, but it isn't quite the same, as my responsibilities are torn.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
So that's life right now. We moved. It's been a lot of work. There is still a lot of work. This house is so much better for us in so many ways... and cheaper. I was felt so blessed walking around today. The Lord has been gracious to us once again.

We're moving this weekend.

Lots of packing, painting, unloading...

Added things to make the week more enjoyable:

• Anaya's 3 nights of waking up 3-4 times = super tired Mommy
  
• It is that time of the month = less patient Mommy
  
• We are having to apply for our visas again (hours @ immigration) = inconvenient
• I'll throw in breastfeeding just because. HA! I have really wanted a little break this week, but even when you give them a bottle you have to pump... no breaks allowed!
  

I think too many people think too highly of my mommy-hood on the go & our travels, so I thought I'd give a little peek into the other side of vacations... the side we choose to forget and not take pictures of.

Like when we realized we forgot the pump to the air mattress.

OR when the space heater we bought actually turned out to be as bright as the sun, because we're cheap and went for the one on sale... and yeah, I happen to be someone who prefers pitch dark. That night, still freezing my tooshie off on the hard ground in the bright tent worrying about my daughter's freezing hands I growled about how we should have bought the expensive heater, and we would never camp in the winter again.

OR when Jon made a lot of noise coming the tent with the velcro and zipper, and Anaya woke up, and I almost killed him... seriously needed some self-control.

OR when Anaya cried at 3 in the morning in the perfect stillness of the night and we had camping 'neighbors' in tents nearby. (I couldn't whip my boob out fast enough to get her to calm down! Ha!)

OR when Jon was haggling with the cashew vendor across the street and Anaya decides to scream because the car isn't moving, and I had to use every bit of restraint not to roll the window down and tear Jon's head off, ready to throw any amount of money at the cashew vendor that he wants... yeah any amount.

I could go on, but you get the point. (Notice the trend here too... it's always me who is the one 'losing it'. My hubby is so patient and calm; he is perfect for me!)

What I've realized is: Anaya always does better than I expect. We always have more good moments than bad. We always make memories to last a lifetime.

It is worth it.

It's been awhile...

So we've had lots of visitors, making my blogging a bit inconsistent. I hope to find some normalcy in the near future, however, it will not come until I'm all settled into my new home (rented). If you remember last time though, I like to kill myself and get it all done super fast. So be prepared for lots of pics and updates. =)

While we had a team here, my schedule was a little more hectic than usual, as was my house, so I guess my body reacted. My milk supply dipped a bit, and I was a little concerned. I pumped as much as I could to encourage more supply; not fun! Once life slowed down though, the milk came back. We were on a 4 hour schedule, but we are back to 3 hour, as I felt she wasn't gaining like I would like her to. Now when I pick her up from the crib... phew! Maybe we'll go back to 4 hours sometime, but for now she is a happy guzzler.

Diapers are still going well. Every now and again she wakes up a bit damp. Not my favorite, but not horrible. She is already in double inserts... guess I could triple or put on a liner. We'll see if it becomes more consistent. With my 24 diapers I've learned I can easily wait two days between washing, especially if I used my dryer all the time, which I rarely do.

Can't believe my little babe is almost 5 months! It is going to be food time before I know it, and in all honesty I am dreading it. She is so easy and on the go right now. Oh well, we'll routine it up and it'll become the norm.



We went camping and rock climbing! I was a bit nervous, but turns out it was for no good reason. It was Anaya's second time sleeping in the tent, and she did okay. It was in the 30's at night, which made it difficult. We bought a space heater, which turned out to be a little comical; it was SO bright it was like a light was on! It helped, but it was still very cold. Anaya is a thumb sucker, so it is difficult to cover her hands. =/ Other than that, Anaya loves the outdoors and is happiest there. She chilled on our backs while we belayed each other on the wall. I did climb with her once on a real easy climb, mainly because it was easier than the trail out of canyon. Anaya snored the whole time. Ha! She'll be my adventure girl.







We spent the 4th low key with some friends eating chili, potato salad, coleslaw, and apple pie. Yum! Anaya was supportin' with her precious onesie!



I've got more stuff to update on... spiritual stuff, emotional stuff, etc. Stay tuned!

Perhaps it is because I was without "stuff" for so long... or maybe that's just an excuse?

You see Jon and I were in transition for quite awhile before and after getting married. We were either traveling or planning to travel, which meant I could only keep more or less 3 suitcases worth of stuff. Because that was nearly impossible, I still have some plastic tubs of things in AZ and a few things in Corpus to be sifted through. Still, I have vivid memories of sitting on my floor crying over my Steve Madden high heels that I got SO cheap that I would have to give away, and not only those, a pile of 'steals' that no longer accompany me to my home overseas. Or precious books that weighed too much.

When we got married, I didn't get to use the cool scanner and pick out towels, sheets, and dishes. Instead, we got a trip around the world, which might I add, I do not regret one single bit. Still, the fact of the matter was that I hadn't gotten my own stuff. We lived in gracious peoples' homes using gracious peoples' things.

Last year on our way from Angola to Mozambique we knew we were going to settle in, so that meant it was my turn. I was going to pick my very own stuff and have my very own style. Boy was I excited. How fun it was to go through the stores and find stuff that was so me.

There wasn't any problem with this. We found reasonable things and tried to make wise decisions about needs vs. wants. And I got a few of my wants; they aren't always bad.

Fast forward a few months...

My polka dot coffee mug that belongs to my set of six got broke. Did you catch that? It belonged to my set of six. That meant that my set of six was now ruined. Were they expensive mugs? Nope. But they were my only mugs! I was crushed. I went upstairs, laid in my bed, and I cried. I knew I was being silly, but that didn't ease my disappointment. (A month or so later we actually found a replacement, though a little dinged up, there was 1 left in the store in South Africa. My set of six has been restored.)

Right before Thanksgiving a plate that belonged to my set of eight got broke in the sink. Again, I was crushed. Jon encouraged me that we could use a little ceramic glue and fix it. I was appeased, and the plate still is used in our stack.

Two days ago a bowl in my set of eight got broken... too broken for ceramic glue. I tried to hold it together, to tell myself it is only stuff and not worth crying about. I succeeded, though I had many a thought of going to my bed and crying for the rest of the afternoon, though a 4 month old keeps that from being completely possible.

So here I am today, processing this little problem I have, this problem with stuff. It is just stuff. Having only 7 glass bowls is not terrible. If my sets are incomplete, it is OK. Fact of the matter is, I can get more stuff if I need it. I am realizing I need to loosen my little heart strings a bit to my stuff that is so me. It is a truth we know somewhere deep inside, and yet when faced with losing that silly stuff we are faced with the truth of where our hearts really are.

Mommy-hood is the best.

So I am currently doing Beth Moore's Bible study 'Living Beyond Yourself - Exploring the fruit of the Spirit'. I've really enjoyed the reminders of the character of God and who He is.

This week we are looking at the kindness and the goodness of God. She devotes one day to look at God as a nurturing parent. As a new parent, I was able to relate quite a bit. In one part she says, "We will never be successful as parents to our children until we are successful at being children to our Heavenly Father."

Okay, so here is the picture I got: My little Anaya is not much of a snuggler. She enjoys squirming or facing out to see the world, but not nestling into my neck. When I do try and hold her that way, her back and neck are stiff, looking around, bobbing her head. It is precious too, but then there are the few rare moments, moments when she is tired, that she relaxes into me and rests, her little head fitting so perfectly into my neck. I adore those moments; I store them up like treasure in my heart.

I think it is quite the same with the Lord and me. I rarely take the time to relax my tired head on the shoulder of God and give Him the time to love on me. It was that way before, but now more than ever, my mind is always buzzing with my 'to do' list. Even when I do my Bible study, I don't take the time to simply rest on Him. Instead, my back is straight and head bobbing, thinking of all the things going on around me. Oh how God, our Father, would like me to just stop and rest, to snuggle. I think, as I do, He treasures those moments with His children.

Maybe you, like me, need to work on being children to our Father so we can father/mother our children better.

Take a little time and rest on Him.

(Womanly topics in this post. You have been warned!)

I had one baby and my laundry tripled. How does that happen? Blankets, towels, clothes, burp cloths, and diapers, diapers, diapers! Hello motherhood!

Amazingly, I now feel as if cloth diapers are a breeze. If you are debating, go for it! AND the cheapest of the cheap are working for me! I like being cheap, but I am also too lazy to make them, or fasten them with anything other than snaps. Thankfully, I found Sunbaby diapers. 24 diapers are plenty for us to wash every other day.

Now, as Anaya is 3 months old (take a moment and let it sink in... YES, 3 months!), I have begun to look into making her baby food. Again, this not a 'green' movement on my part, just a cheap one. I feel a tad overwhelmed, sort of how I did with the cloth diapers, but in the same manner, I think if I get a routine going, we'll be fine! Once I start in a few months, I'll let you know how it goes. For now, I am gearing up. I have a food processor coming with my mother-in-love, and I am currently researching best storage containers for the freezer.

Also, a little less than 3 months after Anaya's birth, I had my first period. WHAT? I am exclusively breastfeeding and totally thought I'd have longer. Lucky me. =/ Anyways, in my laziness I had yet to pick up my birth control, and this got me thinking about things. Jon and I would love to get pregnant again in September/October (if one could plan such things), and it took 5 months to get pregnant with Anaya. The idea of putting my body through the adjustments to birth control, only to get off and adjust back in a couple months seemed silly. SO, I have read the book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility', and we're going to give it a shot. Worst thing that could happen is that we get pregnant, and we want another little one soon anyway.

This method of birth control includes taking my temperature every morning charting it and monitoring/charting my cervical discharge. It seems like a hassle, but like seemingly everything else in my life currently, if I could get into a routine, I'd be fine! (note: I bought a thermometer, but have yet to take my temperature. Things are going well so far! Ha!) I guess we'll all know soon enough how it works out. ;)

Other news...

Anaya takes a bottle so easily now! After a week or so, she got the sucking down, no prob. She doesn't make a peep. Plus, she will even take one from me, which is fabulous for when we are out in public! My nursing cover will not get quite the use it used to... nor will my accidental boob flashing be necessary. (big sigh of relief)

Anaya is hitting at things, grabbing toys and putting them in her mouth, sucking her thumb, playing in the bath tub, practicing her standing with help (quite wobbly, but she enjoys it), holding her neck up for longer periods of time, enjoys sitting up and doesn't want to be on her back all the time anymore, making fun noises, recognizing Jon and I when we come in a room and getting quite excited, becoming a little interested in books, responds to some ticklish spots... Woah! They grow so quick!

Okay... that was long. Maybe some of you read it all!


Crazy post-bath curly hair and a cute pink diaper! Love her!

My little thumb sucker.

**Apology. Blogger had some problems and the comments were deleted. I saw them, they just did not stay. Boo! I am sorry about that.**

So I wanted to add a little follow-up to my breastfeeding post...

Good News: Anaya is now 11 weeks old and few few things improved, though I've thrown pumping into the mix, which has kind of started me on a new cycle of the awfuls. Anyways, the good news is that your body will eventually regulate, no longer causing the 'Shower Shuffle', or having a fear of boobs exploding (a.k.a. engorgement), and less of need for breast pads.

Bad News: I did start pumping this past week, because Anaya will finally take a bottle after a few minutes of screaming. Now that I am increasing my production, my body is figuring itself out again. Sigh. You only think you feel like a machine when you are breastfeeding, and then you start using an electric pump (or even a hand one)... ummm, can you say humiliating? I can be alone in a room and feel embarrassed, all hooked up with tubes and bottles. The nice part is that you can have a little freedom back, and miss a feeding while someone else steps in.

Side note: Next baby I will give a bottle sooner. I waited until about 10wks or so with Anaya and she hates it. We have had multiple screaming nights, only to end up breastfeeding. She will take a bottle eventually now, but it is not a peaceful process.
______________________________________________________

Here is my Cloth Diaper - Report #3

We had our first leak during the night. This morning I woke up to a wet sheet and blanket. No fun! That is why having 2 sheets is a necessity! I am not really sure what the problem was; I guess she just peed a lot. I think, as I have said before, it will be better when she stops eating once in the night... filling up with the liquid. On a positive note, it has been our only leak in the night.

Double inserts are the key for us, even though she is only 11wks. I've had to put aside my vanity and poof up the diaper. They work. We have had hardly any trouble. I say 'hardly any' because every now and again the leg will be a tad damp, but not like it was. They last a good 3-4 hours.

I feel like we are operating a successful operation, and that is what it is, an operation!

I wash every other day and never run out. I stuff the diapers with inserts right when they come off the line, during a nap time; it only takes a few minutes. I scrub the poopy diapers immediately, and then let soak in cold water for a bit. Stains haven't been a problem so far. The dry bucket is SO much better.

It is not too bad, and not too much work. I am actually pleasantly surprised.

So, better late than never, right?

It took a little longer for me to get the diapers stripped and dried on the line. We had a cloudy day in there, and that doesn't work too well for drying. Anyways, I have now been using them for about 2 days. Here are my findings:

They are still cute, cute. I really love her in them with a little T-shirt. Precious!

I think my daughter is a heavy wetter. The diapers, with one insert, are good for about one pee, and then I need to make a change. The other option would be using double inserts all the time, which my husband is pushing me towards, but in my vanity, I would prefer her bum not to be that big. We may get to that point.

I do use double inserts at night, and we have not had a leak for the two nights I have used them. This is a huge plus, because I don't want to be washing sheets all the time.

When they leak, the diapers do not leak a ton. I can just feel them damp around the leg, and I know I need to change her. Not too bad, and I think I can live with it. Depending on how soon she goes after changing her, a diaper can make it approximately 2-3 hours. I have 24 diapers, and I have safely made it 2 days and will wash today with some clean ones still in the drawer.

I switched to a dry pail. I kept my cute bucket, but we put a trash bag in to save the plastic from absorbing too much of the lovely scent. This is some stinky business! I would maybe recommend a stainless steel trash can. After wringing out the wet diapers from the wet pail the first time, I decided it was sick and didn't want to do that anymore, since the water pretty much turns to pee water. Gross!

I do rinse the poopy diapers. Kind of gross as well, but I think it will help with stains, and at this point her poop is soft enough to dissolve. (Good to know, right? Ha!)

So there are my findings after 2 days... the second time around. I think I can stick with it. I'll write again about them in a week or so and let you know more.

They are cute, cute.



Wouldn't you agree?

As for leaking...

Day 1 was fairly successful. During the day, we had no leaks. She wore the diapers about 3 hours at a time. I put double inserts in for the night, and the diaper made it 10 hours, but I should have changed her right away, instead of trying to wait until her feeding. She did leak around the leg.

I was feeling pretty good, somewhat proud of myself, as if I had made the diapers or something. Ha! However, day 2 fell apart. Lots of leaks, even after less than 2 hours. Needless to say, I was very frustrated. Now, when I say leaks, I'm not talking super wet, but it does get her little onesie wet around the leg.

For now, I put her back in disposables. We had an all day outing today, and I just didn't want to worry about it.

Here is the plan: After reading some reviews, I think I will strip my diapers. What this means is that I will soak them in water with dish soap. (In the US they recommend Dawn dish soap. I don't have that here in Mozambique, so I will use Sunlight.) The covers have certain synthetics in them that can make them less absorbent. One lady said she had the same problems that I am having, but after stripping them, no more leaks! I am hoping this will work as well for me and solve our leaking problems.

I will soak them tonight, wash them tomorrow, and hang them to dry.

I shall report on Monday or Tuesday.

My reason for cloth diapering was solely financial. Sure, like most people, the idea of being 'green' sounds nice, but I am honestly not very motivated by that. You think diapers in America are expensive? They are even more so here in Mozambique, because they have to be imported. UGH!

When I began looking into it, I was suddenly overwhelmed. SO many options, and a lot of them seemed like an expensive start up cost. I began reading reviews to find the best fit for our family.

I ended up ordering 24 Sunbaby one-size pocket diapers with 48 inserts off Ebay from a lady in China for $156 w/o shipping. (US shipping is free, but it was only $30 to have them delivered to my door in Mozambique!) I did double inserts for every diaper, so when she begins wetting heavier, we'll be set. Also, night time can need extra absorbency, if she'd ever sleep through the night! Ha! These diapers are made for babies 7-35lbs, which means no need for small, medium, and large... that would be expensive! Though, I have heard they fit better around 10lbs.

(I will tell you that the seller of Sunbaby diapers on Ebay is currently taking a break, but I hope she will resume her sales soon. I have heard that Coolababy diapers are almost exactly the same, also cheap from Ebay.)

Anticipating some adjustment to having a baby around the house, I chose to wait until 2 months to begin. So now she is at 9wks and I am just getting started. =)

Now I'll introduced to the diaper:

Here is the diaper laid flat. All the snaps are for fitting adjustments.




Largest setting And the smallest

This is the pocket the insert goes into

Like so

I bought a cute soak bucket with a lid to put the diapers in after worn, but before washing, while I wait for a full load.

It is recommended to do one or two washes before use, so I soaked my diapers in water for awhile, then washed them once in the washer with detergent, and dried on the line. (We do all drying on the line, unless it is raining.)

Note the cute colors and patterns!

Some people put the inserts in as they are putting the diaper on, but I prefer to have a drawer full of diapers ready to go, so I've put all the inserts in and snapped them up to the smallest setting. (note: place insert in while diaper is flat, before snapping.)



So I think we're ready to go! I'll update tomorrow and let you know how our first tries went. Hoping for no leaks!

And while you are washing diapers, why not do cloth wipes and save a little more? I've gone with the Bottoms-up Kit mainly because I got a great deal from BabySteals.

Pretty much a pre-cut soft terry cloth wash rag.

Clean and dirty containers that seal nicely to keep smell away, along with little oil drops, which help with the wash and smell. You only need a couple drops per wash period.

A nice mesh wash sack.

And handy waterproof bags for on-the-go.

Okay, there it all is. Reviews and experiences to come...