Flats Challenge Day 1

So this was my first day of using flats all day.

Her first diaper change was an epic fail. I was feeling lazy (who isn't when they wake up at 7 am?) and just did a padfold in the Thirsties cover.
This resulted in a massive poosplosion that got all over the cover of course, so I only got one use out of it.

After that I decided to try an angel wing fold which was a little better, but my snappi completely sucked at grabbing the flannel blanket I was using as a diaper. The next diaper change I pulled down the wool soaker to see the snappi haphazardly grabbing the wool and the diaper, narrowly missing Rowan's skin. Poor baby.

Not wanting to give up on this fold I tried instead to use pins. I love pins!

And did I mention I am really liking the simplicity of using flats? I managed to only use flannel receiving blankets as flats all day, never dipping into my "actual flats" stash. I love how much less fuss there was.
With the angel wing fold, seen above, we managed to contain another poo (the diaper held together beautifully with the pins) and the blankets themselves are pretty absorbent.
I found I was changing every 1 1/2-2 hours today.

Here is my new set up. I didn't want to have to handwash a wetbag, though I'd imagine it wouldn't be that hard so I might resort to that later in the week. On the left is my diaper pail, which I normally put a liner in and throw diapers in next to the toilet after spraying. On the right is my grocery bag full of dirty flats.
I would use a bucket to store the dirties in instead of a bag but I don't have a spare.

Nighttime should be interesting. Rowan is not a particularly heavy wetter so I'm thinking she should do fine overnight. Here is what she is wearing to bed:

Angel wing folded receiving blanket with a crappy Gerber flat padfolded and wedged between the layers for extra absorbency. She is wearing recycled wool longies as a cover/pants.
All in all we used about 7 flats (flannel receiving blankets), 1 Thirsties duo cover, 1 snappi (fail), 1 recycled wool soaker (used all day after the poop incident), one pair of longies to bed, and 1 pair of pins.

Stay tuned tomorrow for day 2, washing day (I am probably going to be washing every day so I don't run out) and to see how the flat held up to nighttime use.

2012 Flats Challenge

This year I've decided to partake in the Flats Challenge because, well, I'm always up for a challenge. :)
I wanted to do this as cheaply as possible so I am using Rowan's acquired flannel receiving blankets (all for free) and I purchased a half dozen used Osocozy and a few random Gerber flats from a friend ($5).

I know this is going to be a challenge because I have to handwash and hang dry everything. The Osocozy and Gerber will be super easy but the flannel might present me with a few obstacles. If it doesn't seem to be working out I will probably go buy some flour sack towels to use.

For covers I've decided to use what can be bought cheaply. For me that is an Econobum cover from Cottonbabies and a (bought used) Thirsties duo wrap. The duo wrap is softening and has seen better days. I probably spent $7 or so on both covers back in the day.
I also plan on using wool and have chosen to only use a handful of covers, shorts and longies that I have made myself from wool sweaters. Total I have probably spent $5 or $6 on the materials to make them. Of course not everyone is crafty so not everyone will have this option. I didn't want to use my more expensive knit wool though, though you can certainly buy some for pretty cheap off of Spots on Hyenacart.

These are the ONLY covers I will be using all week so wish me luck!

I do plan on using our line outside to dry if the weather permits and I also plan on using our diaper sprayer though if you do not have one you could always use the extendable shower head from your shower. I do not have one of those so the diaper sprayer it will be. Rowan has mostly peanut butter BMs so not spraying is just not an option for me.
I have one snappi I will be using as well when I use the wool. I also own pins so I might bust those out.

Nighttime will be the biggest challenge. I might use a couple of pockets and stuff them with flats. Not sure yet but of course I will be updating along the way.
So sit back and enjoy the show. :)

[changes]

Life is getting to be a lot different than it was just a few short months ago...

I am excited to share my very personal journey of weight loss! A Little Greenlings exclusive!
Here is January at the beginning of my journey. I was about 170 lbs.



This is now:



You'll have to excuse the half naked photos. That's really the only way to take such pictures. :)
And I am still going! I am about 10 lbs away from my "ultimate" goal, which basically just means that any more of a loss will leave me looking frail and emaciated.
I've done this the old fashioned way: eating right and exercising. I have ups and downs but I stay on track for the most part.

So that is my life in a nutshell right now. Changes.

[latest creations]

I have been sewing quite a bit lately. In between making messes, cleaning them up, playing with the kids and facebooking, that is.




Appliqued capris made for a friend.




My first attempt at a wool skirty. Look how big she is getting! It freaks me out.

While looking for pictures of us I have come to the conclusion that I just don't take enough to begin with. I will have to start taking more.

[rowan turns eight months]

Every month I take a picture of Rowan on her personalized quilt. It is cute to see how big she is getting in relation to the blanket.
This is how today's picture went.

Lucky shot:



.5 Seconds after:

[separation anxiety]

My poor sewing machine is sitting on the ground looking sad and lonely.
I have it out because I've been meaning to sew up a pillow for my bed for the last two weeks.
Unfortunately stuff gets in the way, mainly an almost 8 month old who won't let me put her down ever. It's getting really old.
But how can you say no to a face like this?



She's been nursing a lot today so I think we may see more teeth soon.

[busy]

things I am doing in 2012:

• Redecorating my house
• Decluttering
• Redoing my wardrobe
• Drinking lots of decaf
• Snuggling my babies
• Using up my fabric scraps
• Redecorating this blog
• Babywearing
• Walking