Wow, long time no post!
With one week under out belts, I would give Bum Genius cloth diapers 4 stars (out of 4).
I used BGs during the daytime when we were at home, and disposables for outings and overnight. Roscoe typically goes through 8 diapers a day. We have 12 BGs, so I had to wash them about every other day in order to keep up with him.
This is how we do it
1) Remove dirty diaper
2) Secure velcro tabs
3) Remove insert and place both the insert and diaper in a plastic bag
4) When all but one or two diapers are dirty, take the bag and dump the ENTIRE contents into the washing machine
5) Add 1/4 the recommended laundry detergent and wash in COLD
6) Wash a second time in HOT with an extra rinse cycle
7) Dry on warm
8) Restuff the diapers
I've found the whole routine to be very simple; the diapers are so easy to use, they wash really well, and we've had no leaks so far--unlike with the disposables. Plus, I think Roscoe looks pretty cute!
I did realize that I need more inserts (so I can stuff and reuse the diapers that are only wet), and two wet bags for our disposal system. We'll go another few weeks and if I still love them we may buy another set of 12.
Who knew dirty diapers could be so much fun?!
July 31, 2009
July 23, 2009
Let the cloth diapering begin!
Roscoe is finally big enough to wear his Bum Genius diapers!
This marks day 1 of non-exclusive cloth diapering! I'll post a 7 day recap next week.
This marks day 1 of non-exclusive cloth diapering! I'll post a 7 day recap next week.
July 22, 2009
Chesterbrook Academy to the Rescue!
Roscoe and I paid a visit to Chesterbrook Academy Tuesday afternoon in order to meet with the Principal, introduce ourselves to staff, and to observe the infant classroom in action.
We arrived around 11:00, met with Corinne (another head staffer, but not the principal), and then visited the infant room for an hour or so.
Having thoroughly researched our options before choosing Chesterbrook, I was optimistic going into the meeting; however, knowing my son, I was a little apprehensive about how the staff might respond to my concerns.
It turns out, they were incredibly understanding.
1. Their first suggestion was that I sleep with a blanket under my pillowcase for a week or so before Roscoe's start date. The blanket will be used for nap-time and at any point in which he needs to feel close to his momma.
2. As for his unfamiliarity with crib sleeping, the solution is that babies don't have to sleep in cribs--they can sleep in a swing, a bouncer, or in the arms of a staff person. And we are free to bring for his use a swing like the one he has at home.
3. Corinne rattled off a slurry of techniques they could try on any given day in order to keep him happy. She even suggested bringing in a stroller for them to wheel him around in, if we thought it might help.
4. I was assured they would do everything they could to keep him content, buy if Roscoe was having a particularly hard time and truly needed to be held non-stop, she offered that either she or the Principal would hang out with him at the front desk.
It isn't just their creativity and willingness to think outside the box for ways to make Roscoe more comfortable in his new home away from home that make me feel good about Chesterbrook, but Corinne's positive and empathetic attitude, and enthusiasm about caring for Roscoe, even on days when he might be a hard sell. She also encouraged me to call during the day for updates if I wanted, and in response to my suggestion that I take the last week or two of my leave to ease him into daycare, she said that Andy and I are more than welcome in the infant classroom anytime.
We also got to meet Miss Maria and Miss Ruth--both have worked at Chesterbrook for many years. Turnover is low, and one staff member has been working in the nursery for over a decade! On Tuesday, Miss M and Miss R were caring for five babies (in the Fall, there will be eight) and all but one were sleeping peacefully in various contraptions around the room--none in their cribs :)
Each baby follows its own schedule, and throughout the day, staff record intake, output, naps, and playtimes. Each baby also has his/her own cubby and crib. I was relieved to witness the teachers treating the babies tenderly, and sweetly, and interacting with them in ways that made it obvious they knew each one on an individual level. It was especially nice to see the babies respond back with grins, coos, and wild wriggling.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
I’m so glad I took the time to visit early in my leave because now I can stop stressing (at least about this piece of the return to work puzzle). The three of us will be back sometime in September to observe and address any additional issues that crop up between now and then. I have to keep reminding myself that Roscoe will be 4 ½ months old when I go back to work. Quite a lot will change for him and for us in the next two and a half months.
Inevitably, the transition will be hard on all of us. Many of the solutions Corinne offered were admittedly more for my benefit than his. They are probably right in that Roscoe will be happy once the classroom and the staff become familiar to him.
If the daycare situation were less optimal, I would feel completely different about leaving him to return to work. So far so good, and I’m thankful for peace of mind.
We arrived around 11:00, met with Corinne (another head staffer, but not the principal), and then visited the infant room for an hour or so.
Having thoroughly researched our options before choosing Chesterbrook, I was optimistic going into the meeting; however, knowing my son, I was a little apprehensive about how the staff might respond to my concerns.
It turns out, they were incredibly understanding.
1. Their first suggestion was that I sleep with a blanket under my pillowcase for a week or so before Roscoe's start date. The blanket will be used for nap-time and at any point in which he needs to feel close to his momma.
2. As for his unfamiliarity with crib sleeping, the solution is that babies don't have to sleep in cribs--they can sleep in a swing, a bouncer, or in the arms of a staff person. And we are free to bring for his use a swing like the one he has at home.
3. Corinne rattled off a slurry of techniques they could try on any given day in order to keep him happy. She even suggested bringing in a stroller for them to wheel him around in, if we thought it might help.
4. I was assured they would do everything they could to keep him content, buy if Roscoe was having a particularly hard time and truly needed to be held non-stop, she offered that either she or the Principal would hang out with him at the front desk.
It isn't just their creativity and willingness to think outside the box for ways to make Roscoe more comfortable in his new home away from home that make me feel good about Chesterbrook, but Corinne's positive and empathetic attitude, and enthusiasm about caring for Roscoe, even on days when he might be a hard sell. She also encouraged me to call during the day for updates if I wanted, and in response to my suggestion that I take the last week or two of my leave to ease him into daycare, she said that Andy and I are more than welcome in the infant classroom anytime.
We also got to meet Miss Maria and Miss Ruth--both have worked at Chesterbrook for many years. Turnover is low, and one staff member has been working in the nursery for over a decade! On Tuesday, Miss M and Miss R were caring for five babies (in the Fall, there will be eight) and all but one were sleeping peacefully in various contraptions around the room--none in their cribs :)
Each baby follows its own schedule, and throughout the day, staff record intake, output, naps, and playtimes. Each baby also has his/her own cubby and crib. I was relieved to witness the teachers treating the babies tenderly, and sweetly, and interacting with them in ways that made it obvious they knew each one on an individual level. It was especially nice to see the babies respond back with grins, coos, and wild wriggling.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
I’m so glad I took the time to visit early in my leave because now I can stop stressing (at least about this piece of the return to work puzzle). The three of us will be back sometime in September to observe and address any additional issues that crop up between now and then. I have to keep reminding myself that Roscoe will be 4 ½ months old when I go back to work. Quite a lot will change for him and for us in the next two and a half months.
Inevitably, the transition will be hard on all of us. Many of the solutions Corinne offered were admittedly more for my benefit than his. They are probably right in that Roscoe will be happy once the classroom and the staff become familiar to him.
If the daycare situation were less optimal, I would feel completely different about leaving him to return to work. So far so good, and I’m thankful for peace of mind.
July 19, 2009
Bradley Reunion!
Today we drove out to the country (i.e., Gainesville) to attend the reunion of Bradley Class 09'. We had a potluck barbecue and spent the afternoon asking and answering questions like, "Oh, how old is he/she again?", "How much does he/she weigh now?", and "How is he/she sleeping?"
We admired each others babies, exchanged new-parent gripes and advice, and shared our birth stories. And the husbands finally got to hang out too!
We admired each others babies, exchanged new-parent gripes and advice, and shared our birth stories. And the husbands finally got to hang out too!
Bradley Class 09'
From left to right: Andy, Jacqueline, & Roscoe; Jack, Jacqueline, & Jonathan; Emily, Gunner, & Steve; Katie, Sammy, & Brian; Heidi & Lillian; Mark, Angie, Evan, (and their other two children!)
From left to right: Andy, Jacqueline, & Roscoe; Jack, Jacqueline, & Jonathan; Emily, Gunner, & Steve; Katie, Sammy, & Brian; Heidi & Lillian; Mark, Angie, Evan, (and their other two children!)Heidi (our instructor) with all the babies!
From left to right: Lillian, Evan, Gunner, Roscoe, Sammy, Jonathan
From left to right: Lillian, Evan, Gunner, Roscoe, Sammy, JonathanJuly 18, 2009
Morning "stroll"
I was invited to walk this morning with a group of women in my neighborhood. I just tracked the distance and it totaled 6.40 miles!
I kept pace with those speedy non-postpartum ladies, and I can definitely feel it. Unfortunately it doesn't feel that good.
I don't think I'll be joining them next Saturday--my body just isn't yet conditioned for that kind of endurance.
I kept pace with those speedy non-postpartum ladies, and I can definitely feel it. Unfortunately it doesn't feel that good.
I don't think I'll be joining them next Saturday--my body just isn't yet conditioned for that kind of endurance.
July 17, 2009
Roscoe's Birth Announcement
We finally mailed out all of Roscoe's announcements, no matter that he's almost 9 weeks old :)
We really love how they turned out!
We really love how they turned out!
July 16, 2009
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