Vacay

We recently returned from family vacation and it was so great.  Very stressful, for me, to get ready and go but once we actually landed I was able to relax.  Packing was a lot, considering that I was not only packing for myself but also for Conor.  It was easier once we got to the week of, warm weather clothes had been in use up until we left.  We had a lot of fun, staying on the beach with a toddler was the best.  We did not have to worry about loading and unloading every day or dealing with the carseat, such a relief and allowed me to enjoy the days much more.

One of my goals during this trip was to cloth diaper, we would be gone for 5 days and we had never used cloth on vacation before with prior trips ranging from 2 days to 8 days.  But we pack cloth when out and about, day trips and to visit family or running errands.  I refused to spend more money on disposables considering how much money we have invested into our cloth.  And I knew we could do this, we do it everyday all day and night so why not while we are traveling.  From plane to beachside then back home.  We did it!

I change diapers about every 2 hours but can vary if we get surprise poops.  I used hybrid diapers as our travel option as they allowed me to use a shell which I could then reuse by simply changing the insert.  Inserts can vary from prefolds, to snap ins and disposable bio-liner.  I choose the biodegradable option for our big trip just to avoid paying to do laundry.  

The biggest challenge was changing a moving toddler on the plane, we were seated closer to the back restroom so I went there but there was no changing table.  Having done this before I just assumed there was a table to use.  But instead had to put my changing pad over the toilet once the lid was down and I somehow was able to change Conor.  Believe me, I wish I had my phone to document.  On our way back I asked the airline attendant which restroom had a changing table, come to find out on this particular airline if the exit sign is in the aisle its in the front but if its over to the side its locate in the back restroom of the plane.  

I have to say, being able to cloth over vacation ended up being very empowering.  I found out that taking the risk had the best reward, a clean happy baby that just happened to save us money in the diaper department.

From home, plane and then back on the ground for some shopping.  We started our vacation with some minor shopping at a favorite cloth store.  

From hook and loop, similar to disposable diaper tape,  Citrus to a snap Adventure GroVia Hybrid. This video will show you how the hook and loop and snaps work, Watch here. At 1:35 you will see the biosoaker option that we used during vacation.  

While I could have kept the same diaper on and just changed my liner I decided that the 4th diaper change called for a fresh diaper.  I believe we could have gone the rest of the day as long as everything stayed dry and no wicking occurred.

Snack time while Conor had Funfair Hybrid with snaps on the bottom.

Conor tends to be a heavy wetter, we have our last milk cup within an hour, at most, before the eyes get heavy so that was a concern for me but we just adjusted and thankfully it worked each night.  We did add an extra diaper change at bedtime to avoid any leakage.  

Some beach playground fun.

I was afraid to use the laundry machines, even just to wash, I decided to wash in the sink with laundry detergent sample we picked up our first day and then hung our shells out to dry.  It is suggested to air dry the shells to get the most life out of them, but other all cotton or stay dry materials can go in the dryer.  The hybrids in the warm sun and wind dried very fast compared to what an all cotton diaper takes to dry.  We lived in our swimsuits during the day but a diaper was always dry and ready to go during lunch, naps and nighttime wear.  

We had a change of location for our last night to be close to the airport and I decided to try the windshield drying method, just saw other parents do it and work for them.  On this trip we took one swim diaper and 3 cloth diapers, one of those was picked up at the cloth store the first day. We started our investment with the Hybrid trial kit which already worked at home for us and empowered me during our vacation.  We had zero blow outs, compared to our previous experience when Conor was smaller and we were traveling with disposables.  

Conor was happy and so were we, vacation was amazing and we accomplished one of my fun goals while away, ice cream every day heck I even had cones one day.  Again we saved a little money by investing in cloth because it works for us and our home.  I am still amazed at how much we have learned since starting our journey as parents and as cloth advocates.

Sunrise on our way to the airport, this photo does not do any justice to the moment with the windows down and the sun coming up.

Arrived back home just in time for lunch and a nap.  This is my favorite moment, little Conor snuggled up to his mama.

January 1st, 2010

Well we made it through a very nice evening. We basically had a 3 course meal, or to be more accurate a meal that had all parts, salad, sides and a good drink. Although the Tele was on during dinner we both recognized that it was a great meal that we made together. This is a normal occurrence. Darren got dressed and we got ready to head out to Holly and Mark's house. They had some snacks and we got to hang out and talk. They were telling us about their wedding plans and Darren was filing them in on his experiences with traveling and I guess might have helped in giving them ideas on things they had already started researching. I got to chat it up with Holly on things and she is happy and that is great. I get excited about things, she seemed to have it all together and that is good. They know what they want and have direction making it that much easier. You have to love our "family Photo," as we were attempting to find somewhere to place the camera so that we can set it on a timer. Darren and Mark seemed to have quite a bit to talk about. We had met up as a group about 2 other times before and Holly and I meet up every other month or so to get a drink or dinner and catch up. So I am most looking forward to spending more time with them as their schedule allows. Told Mark he should join Darren for autographs sometime as he liked Darren's stories of hanging out at the hotels trying not to get kicked out. When we finally made it home almost 1:30ish there was little time before we were out. I can be a heavy sleeper and as with most trips, fell asleep in the car. But it was good sleep.

This morning I was thinking about the resolutions that each had wanted to make, they were more like goals to do things that they have thought about but not followed through. With this I began to reflect on myself. I would like to join a gym again but really would like to work on other things. I can remember a time when it was easy to be patient but at times find myself irritated when I have to repeat myself. These things I never realized are small parts that might cause the stress I can feel from time to time. So becoming more Patient is on the top of my personal need to work on list. I will keep you updated on how that goes. I might need to write that on my mirror as an everyday reminder. I also from time to time think about what I am thankful for, it can be friendship, love, spare time, naps, time with my family, letters from my brother. Anything and I want to start my days or think about one each day/week so that I can remember just how blessed I am.

The oldest of my 2 brothers, Joel, and I mail each other hand written letters. I update him on life here in Indy and send photos while he lets me know about things on his end. Its refreshing and we both anticipate each others letters. Today I wrote a letter which will be mailed tomorrow.

I also have found a new author that I enjoy, Nicholas Sparks. While traveling over Christmas I finished Dear John, I am now about 40 or so pages to then end of my second book that Darren bought me for Christmas, A Bend in the Road. I noticed that in both books the male figures said they loved the other before the female. The books are also set in North Carolina, a territory I am familiar with since I went to school there and traveled to various parts while at school and spent a month or so working on Duke's campus. I never thought I would get into the books but the mystery behind them is what gets me, not so much the romance. And come on, how many times are you going to hear about a man saying the "L" word first?!

I said it to Darren first, it actually made me drive over to his place one late night, just thinking about it and pondering that I actually had very strong feelings for this man. He opened the front door thinking something was wrong and I said it and what happened while I was home alone thinking of course, I actually packed an overnight bag to head to my parents place up North had it not turned out so well. He said he had those feeling for awhile but did not want to say it as he thought it might freak me out. And it would have as I was in much denial, I have been there once and then had my share of flings between, I wanted to make sure it was for real and not infatuation. But it will be 2 years come May. Just need to work on my whole patience aspect as I also have to think about him and his feelings. But we make it every day. With our Good nights to close each day opening a new leaf the next day.