Adventures in Cloth Diapering...#11, Visiting Grandparents

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go.
The Kia Rondo knows the way to carry the...well, you get the idea. We went on a trip.

The boys and I drove to Louisiana to visit while Bart was away on a business trip. I was hesitant to use cloth diapers, but I knew we'd be near a washer the entire trip and figured it would be fine.

While traveling with the boys, I used disposables...as excited as Lexi was to have us come visit (I can't believe not a single picture was snapped.) for a few hours, I think she might have threw up in her mouth a little if I said, "Oh, by the way, I've got a few #2's I need to shake in your toilet. Then, let me just do a quick rinse in your washer so it's okay until I get to Grandma Cupcake's house."
Yeah...that's just bad manners.

So, disposables for the drive. That's okay. There was this one diaper and I am VERY glad I could throw that bad boy in the trash and leave it in Oklahoma, along with about $5 in toll fees.

When we arrived at my parents house, I discovered a big box of Huggies waiting for Ethan's bum to come make dirty. (Thanks Daddy!) So, while I've been here, I've used a combination of disposables and cloth diapers. It's worked out well. For church on Sunday, he wore cloth because I made his dress pants and designed them to fit over a cloth diaper (I just had my mother professionally alter a shorts pattern and can't wait to share how they fit!).I've used disposables at night simply because I did not bring my larger diapers and covers. I only brought pocket diapers and super thin/absorbent inserts. I really prefer to use cover (or fleece longies) at night.

When the big boys and I went to the Mardi Gras parade, I think my parents were glad Ethan was left in a disposable diaper. Though I try to "force" my husband to support my cloth diaper addiction, I can't force or expect my parents to do the same. And I think of all the people grateful for disposibles, my younger brother, Justin, who was left with four children, three of whom had on night time diapers. Now, there was no #2 troubles, so Justin was safe, but what if...

So, using disposables when convenient and cloth when convenient has worked out great. I am glad I did not totally leave Ethan's fluff at home...I am kind of missing the cloth and can't wait to get back to using it every day.

Next Big Thing!

Mud Puddles Everywhere

The Mississippi River is at flood stage and it's not even March! It's been raining and raining (or so I've been told...I don't live here but I'll trust the natives as they don't generally lead me astray) and raining some more. My parents yard is a swamp!

The boys have rubber rain boots (thanks Papa Jeff) and have had a blast playing in the mud and muck with the dogs...however, I've not yet let Ethan off the porch to play. He wanted down to play with the big boys so badly, but he didn't have rubber boots, so I was hesitant to let him down. Plus, the water is cold, so I didn't want him getting too cold.

Finally, I decided what the heck, it's just shoes and we can always buy a new pair (he's about outgrown them anyway!) and it isn't that cold so I let him down with his brothers before dinner and they had a blast...well, for the most part they did. :)

So, while having a soggy yard is not an ideal scenario, it has been a great play place for three little boys with cabin fever from months of cold and snow. Sure, it snowed Thursday night and Friday morning...but it had melted by Friday evening and just make the boys play land a little more magical.

Mardi Gras Madness

I called a friend in Natchez today right at five o'clock to ask if we could do a play date tomorrow while I am visiting home. She said yes but that she had to go as they were waiting for a parade to start.

"A Mardi Gras parade?" I asked excitedly.

"Yes, it is the Natchez, MS Mardi Gras parade. It was supposed to start at five, but they are delaying it for a bit. You should come meet us, we are in front of my husband's office."

I let out a yell to the boys, "Get your shoes, go to the bathroom, we are going to a parade!"
(Ha, ha...hanging out on balconies...Natchez is soo not New Orleans, but they sure looked like they were having fun!)

We were out the door and over the bridge within ten minutes, parked uphill from where my friend was, and we walked the route, not missing a second of the parade, experiencing the charm and hospitality that is Main St. Mississippi.

Because of the cold temperatures and snow that had fallen (but had almost all melted), there were less people out then usual (or so I was led to believe) so there was plenty of room to roam.

As we walked down Main St, the boys yelled, "Throw me something Mister." and much to their delight, they were showered with beads, Moon Pies, and trinkets.


When a handful of beads landed between a young boy and Brennan, I said, "It's okay, there will be more."

The young boy says, "Here you go." and gave Brennan half of what he'd caught.

When an elderly gentleman caught some DumDum suckers, he turns around, sees Jackson, and hands them over.

It was southern hospitality and I loved it. They did not know who I was, where I live, or what I was doing there. They were polite because IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Sure, that is not how all of the south is, but for those few moments, people seemed to remember their manners and that we are our brother's keeper. They didn't push little ones out of the way so they could catch the "good beads" or get the Mardi Gras cups. Everyone had a good time, and in the end, that is what is really important, a good time...NOT how many beads you caught...even if you DO come home with about 798 strands of plastic gold.

And yes, Brennan has on EVERY SINGLE BEAD that we caught/collected/were given by our friend after the parade. It was so funny to see.

The boys really had fun at the parade and I did, too. I am so glad I thought to call my friend at the moment I did so that the boys (Ethan stayed home with Papa Jeff) could experience a little bit of (what is traditionally a) South Louisiana fun. (Even if we were in west/central Mississippi, nowhere near New Orleans or the wild and crazy Bourbon St.)

PUJ Bathtubs

"Baby bath time was never so easy or safe than with the PUJ baby bathtubs." (from site)

The baby bath tubs by PUJ are by far the smartest bath invention I've seen around for babies. The big plastic tubs are so bulky, slippery, uncomfortable and dangerous...well, mine was because I may have used it on my kitchen cabinet a time or two...pretty high up for an itty bitty baby. Oh, and did I mention old fashioned? Other then color changes and making them bigger, they really haven't changed in ages.

PUJ bathtubs are sleek, slip free, comfortable and safe. And a brand new idea! Instead of having to put a H.U.G.E tub somewhere, whether it be the floor, the bathtub, the sink, and fill it up with water, the PUJ tub goes straight into your sink (kitchen, bathroom, wherever, you decide)...give it a few quick bends/snaps and it is in shape and ready to go. When bathtime is done, just a quick snaps and it is flat and ready to be stored in a closet, the shower, wherever is out of the way and convenient for you.I love how easy it was to fold up and unfold. It's simple, too. I loved how safe I felt my baby was and how little room it took to store...the boys bathtub took up WAY too much room in our bathroom, always being in the way, never having a spot to call it's own. This is a tub I wish I'd had in 2003...I'd never have wanted another tub again if I had.

So, if you are in the market for a new baby bath tub, or have a baby shower to go to...I suggest checking out the PUJ baby bath tubs. For only $39.99 you will be giving yourself (or a lucky friend!) a great gift!

Oh, and don't forget...I have a PUJ sling and I love it. I still use it with Ethan...it works great now that he is older then when I first mentioned it. :)

***I recieved a PUJ tub to test. I was not paid for my opinion and seriously think it is the best tub out there!!!!***