Diapering baby #2 has been so much fun. Fun because we are, of course, using cloth diapers. Somehow it just isn’t FUN to use disposables. Just a baby related something to be done and at least sometimes marginally unpleasant. The whole process of cloth diapering is something that most of the time brings me joy and satisfaction. It’s saving us money. Lots of money. Particularly since our kids are apparently allergic to one component or another in mainstream diapers (yes, sadly, this includes Huggies Naturals) and all of the “Organic” diapers cost a small fortune. So for us the cloth diaper savings is above and beyond what it is for the average family. Secondly, I’m a huge fan of diversity and seeing tiny bums clad in multi colored and outfit coordinating cloth is just FUN. And adorable. Especially on chubby babies. Now that I have a chubster babe I am decidedly a fan of baby rolls. The more the better.

Bean-Boy chilling in FL in Fuzzi Bunz Green One Size Fits All

Last time we did cloth diapering it was mostly a pre-fold and fitteds system with covers. While practical, fairly easy to “learn”, and most important of all cheap. Super cheap. It was also a bit more user challenging than some of the easier systems that exist like pockets or all-in-ones. DaMan learned the prefold+cover system but it was never easy for him which resulted in an understandable reluctance to help out with diaper changes. This time around as soon as we verified that yes, extra-white-child version 2.0 also has mega sensitive skin we decided it was totally worth it to invest in an easier diapering system upfront. And by “we” I really mean “me” since solo diapering children is not my idea of sharing the parenting load. (ahem) DaMan was relieved and happy at how simple the Fuzzy Bunz have been to use and finds it just a hair less efficient than popping disposables on.

One used lot of One Size Fits All Fuzzi Bunz later and we were in business. And yes, you read that correctly. Used. While the used factor of cloth diapers may be more than some can handle between a very hot water wash, good sunning, a vinegar wash followed by a Grapefruit Seed Extract wash followed by yet another thorough sunning I’m pretty satisfied that anything potentially detrimental to my kidlets health is adequately neutralized. And consider this, if cloth diapering is a savings at retail value imagine how much more you can save if you buy previously used???

Baby-Bean in FL

This is where I get to excitedly tell you about my latest cloth diaper resource. It is a website owned by a dear friend of mine and allows you to both put up for sale and purchase in an auction type setting cloth diapers. http://www.myuseddiapers.com It’s FREE. Free to list. Free to put up pictures. Free to bid and Free to buy. So you can SAVE $ on those diapers you want to try out or bolster your stash with and purchase without having to leave your home. No sales tax, no hassle. I’ll be listing some of my gently used covers that we no longer have need for soon. I’d encourage you to check it out and if you have ANY questions about cloth diapering at all just e-mail and ask. I happen to know the lady at the other end is super knowledgeable and will bend over backwards to help if she can.

We have been staying in Orlando the past week to attend business meetings. The warm pools have been a special treat for our kids. The chubby Bean-boy bobbed happily in the water on his back with only the bare minimum of neck support/stability from a parent. The kid was born to swim, er, well, float to be more accurate.

Bean swimming for the first time

One day after a bit too long in the pool the 4 year old Doodlebug and I walked back to our unit. Little tiny gnat like creatures floated in the air in front of us. “Dose are Dandy bugs” Doodles informs me casually. A little distracted trying to keep up with key-card, towels, towel wrapped baby, cell phone and water bottle I say rather absently “Dandy-bugs?” She nods gravely while slowly swishing her hand back and forth in front of her face “Dey wiv on Dandelion Fwowers and when you go poof dey fwy away. Dats cuz dey have no home aaaaaaanymore.” Still distracted I say “Hmm. Don’t see any Dandelions around here dear, maybe they are another sort of bug” Slightly indignant that I would question her bug expertise she insists “No no! Dey ARE Dandelion bugs. The alligators just poofed all dere homes away. So see? Dats why Mom” Inwardly shuddering at the reminder that we are located right on a lake, ambling down a sidewalk that borders said lake and that there is a sign just a few feet in front of us that says “Please Respect Our Wildlife” with images of a snake, turtle and Alligator on it. Feeling something a little stronger than the ‘respect’ the sign requested I walk a bit faster.

Doodles by the Lake

Doodles trails along slowly. “You’d better hurry or maybe the Dandelions won’t be the only thing the alligators poof away” I call over my shoulder. She stops and her little jaw drops open and lets out a small gasp. “You mean dey would poof away the Dandelions AND the Dandelion BUGS???? Dats dust so mean.” And turning to the lake that supposedly houses said alligators she hollers “You mean alligators! You ate ALL de Dandelions and now eat aaaaaalll the bugs you dust MEAN!” A couple senior citizen aged adults within ear-shot shoot me reproachful looks and I can all too easily tell what they are thinking “What in heavens name is that woman teaching her child?? Blaming Alligators for destroying Dandelions. And whats that she was saying about bugs??” I try to smile reassuringly and confidently as though it’s all part of some grand parental plan to teach an awesome object lesson but all I manage is a slightly guilty and sheepish smile and head bob their direction before we shuffle off again.

Doodles tries to say hello to unfriendly bird

Finally back at our Unit I was able to laugh at her vivid imagination. Dandelion Bugs. So now you know. The Alligators ate the Dandelions then apparently declared war on the Dandelion bugs. I knew you’d want to know that.

Tomorrow we hit the road again and begin the several day travel back home to TN. We are stopping into GA to have a meet and greet with some family that haven’t met the little Bean yet. I’m off to pack up a bit more and then get some sleep.