Cloth Diapers In Modern Times

Before Holden was born I decided I wanted to do cloth diapers.  Never had an expercience with them, never used them, so I was kind of scared.  But I knew how $$$ disposable diapers can be, and we just don't a money tree growing in our back yard, so I wanted to contribute and save.  I luckily met a lady on a cloth diaper swap group who was de-stashing from her collection.  So for $50 I got 20 diapers and inserts.  Jackpot!  If you don't know, a cloth diaper ranges from $15-$20 per diaper.  So to get started can be a bit pricey, but buying used and being frugal helps!

I have had Holden in cloth diapers since he was about 6 months.  I waited until he started solids...I honestly didn't want newborn breast milk baby poop cloth diapers.  No thanks!  Having solid food baby poop cloth diapers was enough thank you.  Wait, having a poopy cloth diapers is enough.  Period! Cloth diapers ain't for the faint of heart, that much I can say. 

So I am not an expert or super user of cloth diapers by any means.  I was actually talking to another mommy at story time one about cloth diapers and comparing what diapers we used.  She mentioned a brand I had never heard of and I told her I use pocket diapers, and she giggled.  I laughed and asked her what was so funny and she told me at some super secret cloth diaper get together she goes to that they call those "daddy diapers".  I laughed!  They are super easy to use, and don't require a whole lot of thought to them, so yeah that's why I use them because I have a daddy in my house!  :)  So ha!  The jokes on you lady.   ;)

But to make this whole process a little easier, the hubs installed our own make shift diaper sprayer in our downstairs bathroom, so I can just wash all the poop away in the toilet before putting them in our diaper bin for washing.  It's rather convenient.  It's just like the little sprayer that you might have in your sink in your kitchen.  I have yet to master how not get water all over the floor in the rinsing off process, hey, I'm a work in progress! What can I say!

We aren't totally crunchy granola hippies up in this haus, not that anything is wrong with ya'll who are, I just can't do it!  We do use disposables from time to time.  We use them when we go to church and Holden is in the nursery.  I'm sorry, but I love my church nursery ladies too much to put them through that mess.  They have 100+ kiddos in the nursery at any given time and then some plus all the diapers changes they do, I am not gonna make them use a cloth diaper/wet bag situation.  Plus, I'm always afraid they're gonna put the diaper straight in his church bag and it be full of poop!  Not in retaltion (well maybe haha jk) but they don't just don't have knowledge or tools to clean out the diaper, know what I'm saying?


 So yeah, we do cloth diapers and Daddy has been on board from day one.  That was a big help, just had to show him the ropes a little bit and we are doing good.  So there are pros and cons to cloth diapers.  If you are intersted in starting or not sure, research, research, and ask question to those that do cloth diaper.  There so many webiste and facebook groups that have season mommies who cloth diaper and know so much information.  I still go on those groups and lurk and read comments or ask a question when I need to.  Helps a lot!  So happy cloth diapering, if you dare!  :)

Here are few action shots of Holden in his CD.  And some super cute print CD that I got him.  Beware, the print ones can be addicting!  I want to sell some of my solid ones to get more print ones.  haha!

We cross the street in our cloth diapers. :)

Firetrucks, mustaches and bumble bees!  Too cute!

Holden flexin' with the dogs toy bones.  Crazy kid!

Fire Fighter & Law Enforcment Discounts----They Deserve It Too!

As a LEO (law enforcement officer) wife & Fire wife, I've seen through the years my husband get praise for the job he does for our community; pats on the back for a job well done; a hug from a little old lady who is so appreciative of my husband and his kindness, and thanks your for the job he does.  I could go on and on with the the thanks you and we appreciate you's he gets.  But that's all he gets.  By that I mean, all he gets is the thank yous from the community citizens, the pats on the backs from people he helped on a call, and hugs from lil' old ladies.  He doesn't get a 10% at Home Depot for giving service to his community.  He doesn't get a free meal on a specific holiday for the service and time he served to his community.  He doesn't get a special deal on tires or furniture for the dedication to his community.  Just a pat on the back, a thank you and being a local hero is all.  Now that just ain't fair!  Who's with me?!

Now I don't want you to think I'm mocking the military discounts the enlisted and veterans get, because I'm not!  No way no how!  They work hard and deserve them justly so, but so do the LEO/Fire Fighters of your local community.  I'm a military brat myself, I moved around all my childhood till I was 15 years old.  I used the military discounts when they were available to me, no doubt!  Who doesn't use a discount when it's available right?!  But now that I'm on the other side of the fence, and as a LEO/Fire wife, I see all this hard work my husband does for our community and city, and I think he deserves more! 

My whole reason on this post was to bring awareness to our/your LOCAL community of our own LOCAL heroes!  Right here in our very own back yard.  They might not be fighting for our freedom in a foreign country, but they are protecting our local streets from robbers and murderers, they are putting out a fire in your neighborhood, or saving a child's life who needs medical attention.  They are doing it all barbecue they love the job they do, they love serving our community and helping out.  I think the least our local businesses could do is give them a discount.  

I'm not sure how to get the word out about this to our local businesses, but your gonna be damned if I'm not gonna try and find out how to get something started!  :)  This wifey is gonna make some noise!  It's the least I can do, my husband works hard to provide for our family, and works for out city and he deserves more than a pat on the back!

Brightest Blessings,
Valerie

Holden's 1st Stache Bash

My lil' nugget is officialy a toddler now.  :(  It's so bittersweet....it's so fun to see him grow up and learn new things everyday...but the days of him being itty bitty and sleeping on my chest are long gone.  He is becoming SO independent it's not even funny.  He is ALL boy!

Man oh man, I can't wait to see what this next year brings us!  So without further ado, here are some photos of Holden's Stahse Bash!

Birthday Morning with Mommy & Daddy

Opening his presents. Daddy made the picnic table. :)

Singing Happy Birthday....

CUPCAKE!!!

His cupcake stand I made. :)

Birthday Banner I made

Welcome sign by the front door

Mustache Pinata I made....not even sure I got a good shot of it.  lol

Our before smash cake!

He was not afraid AT ALL!

Mmmmmmm Cake!!!