Splendiferous Zeppelin Escapades

It’s been quite a little while since I’ve added an update to the cloth diapering experiment.

We’ve been pluggin’ along. I still love it. Now that I’ve found the fuzzi bunz diapers, things have been going well. I have learned a few things along the way.

• Spencer is a heavy-wetter.
• My orginial laundry detergent, All Free and Clear, was causing build up and repealing problems.
• Most of the leaks that we get, are my fault

To combat heavy wetter problems, I have to use the normal absorbent pad PLUS a doubler (a thinner pad that just gives a little extra absorbency). My very favorite doublers are the Hemp Babies Fleece Hemp Doublers. They are thin and add just the right amount of absorbency. So, while I’ve grown to ADORE the puffy tush that some of the doublers give him, I’m so glad I’ve found the slimmer line ones.

For the detergent, I’m testing Rockin’ Green detergent. The All Free and Clear was just not rising clean enough, and some of the diapers were beginning to repel water. The Rockin’ Green rinses clean and has some lovely scents. I’m liking it thus far, but I think I need to “strip” my diapers so I get better absorbing.

***UPDATE 9/6/10****: I soaked the diapers in 3 TBSP of Rockin’ Green in the tub last night, and left them over night. Then I went through my normal wash routine (with the rockin’ green instead of All), and the diapers are all lovely and super soft once again. Stripping worked!! Go rockin’ green!

As far as the leaks go, when we get the leaks it is because I’ve given him A LOT to drink and left him in the diaper too long. Generally, I have a feeling when I need to change him, and when I ignore it, I get a leak.

Here are a couple pictures of Spencer in his way cute Fuzzi Bunz

Both Adam and I have gotten sick and tired of me being sick and tired. So, we FINALLY did something about it.

A Little History:
For the last several months (I’d say since the beginning of the year or so), I’ve been getting sick to my stomach A LOT over weird little things; I’ve been getting headaches more frequently and have been exhausted after a normal day. There have been a few other things, but those are the major issues.

Wednesday:
We went to the doctor to see what’s going on. And he like the rest of the world we tell about this asks if I’m pregnant (which I’m NOT, so don’t ask). So, he decides to run a bunch of tests. And he covers just about every thing there is to cover in order to find a place to start. So, we have to go back the next day for the results.

Thursday:
We go back to the doctor. I was kind of nervous; I think I was afraid I was going to learn I had something serious (I don’t, but still) or that he had no idea what was wrong with me and all the “doing something” would stop there.

So while it wasn’t anything monumental, I learned that my good cholesterol is too low (apparently I wasn’t blessed with good genes that way) and that my Ferritin levels are CRAZY low. What is Ferritin you ask? Well, here:

Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron; most of the iron stored in the body is bound to ferritin. Ferritin is found in the liver , spleen , skeletal muscles, and bone marrow. Only a small amount of ferritin is found in the blood. The amount of ferritin in the blood shows how much iron is stored in your body.

The Doctor said he likes to the see these levels at between 80 and 120 mg/L and mine are at 12. No wonder I’ve been tired all the time. This might even explain some of my headaches.

I’ve been “ordered” to take an iron supplement and take a 30 to 40 minute walk 4 days a week. We’re going back in 6 weeks to see if these make a difference in how I’m feeling. Let’s hope.

I’ve been feeling lately that I can be doing SO much better than I am in a lot of different areas of my life. Starting on Sunday (as in a couple days ago), I decided I was going to do something about it instead of just thinking it.

I’ve made a goal to be more consistent with my scripture study and that will help me be a better seminary teacher. To help me with that, I’ve actually started the Young Women’s Personal Progress program. Since I’d be through the program it has changed, and I thought what a good way to keep me moving forward and goal oriented. I didn’t want to start with Faith, experience 1, but it really has been a great place to start.

I’ve also made a goal to exercise 3 times a week. My exercise of choice is yoga. I love the calm of it. I am using an online community called MyYogaOnline to help me. They have all kinds of videos of routines for me to follow so I never get bored of doing the same one over and over again. I can always just pick a different one.

I am planning on starting a running program with Adam, but I didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew to start. I want to stick with it, and starting to exercise 6 days a week (while good for me) is a sure fire way to make me stop. I’ll work up to it though.

I thought I would put these out there so others can see so that I might be held more accountable for what I’m doing. I need a little motivation to keep me on the path, so if you happen to remember I’m doing this, feel free to ask me about it.

My son is a busy body. He’s always going and always grabbing things. Especially things he shouldn’t have. So, today was no different than every other day, except that I walked away.

I’m in the process of reclaiming my room from the clutter than always seems to find it’s way into my room. I came out and sat down at the computer to check my email. That is Spencer’s cue that it is his turn to play on the computer, of course.

So, I get him playing on one of his favorite games at KneeBouncers.com, and then I walk back into my room to get something and come right back.

In the time it took me to go from my room back to the office, Spencer stood up on the car, found the ONLY Sharpie in my pencil cup, and proceeds to draw on his face (and probably taste the marker). I am just grateful that is was JUST his face, and not the desk, the computer, or his clothes. I did get a couple of WAY cute pictures before I set to cleaning his face.

We did manage to get the Sharpie off. I took some Cover Girl Eye and Lip make-up remover and a cotton ball to it. It came off REALLY easily. It was no big deal at all. So, if you’re kids draw on themselves, make-up remover does a great job.

First of all, Thank you, Maura! You’re suggestion was just what I needed!!

My friend suggested Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers since she uses them, and I got a Fuzzi Bunz One-size diaper and it is my favorite!! I love it because I have complete control over the fit. I can adjust the waist to fit just right and the legs to fit perfectly. Since Spencer is tall and skinny he doesn’t fit into certain diapers well, because they are made for chubby babies.

I’ve only had it for a couple of days and have only used it a couple of times. But Spencer REALLY put it through it’s paces. He completely soaked it from the front to back and the diaper didn’t leak at all!! I’m so happy. We’ve had issues with leaks, and I’m so happy that it didn’t leak.

Even if I go and get enough of these to last for a couple of days, I’m still glad I have the covers and the cloth diapers I started with. They will be helpful if Spencer gets a rash since I’m not supposed to use rash ointment with my Fuzzi Bunz.

I’ll get a picture of Spencer in it to post soon. (I took them this morning, but smart me didn’t have the memory in the camera to actually get the pictures).