what is the best stroller to buy for singletons or twins?

my friend who is expecting B/G twins asked for my advice on a double stroller.  here's what i wrote her with some parts edited, of course:

stroller necessary?
anyway, for the first six weeks, we didn't go ANYWHERE with the girls let alone by myself.  i mean, we ONLY went to dr. appt. (mine and theirs) and i had help each time (i either scheduled it around my husband's schedule or i waited for my mom to pop into town from CA).  most of the time, we just carried the carseats because it was much easier.
until i remember when they were six weeks old that i decided to go to Kid to Kid with my friend, her daughter, and my girls when they were wearing these outfits.  it took me two hours to get them ready/put them in the car, and by the time we actually got there, my hubby had met up with us and helped me take them out of the car. lol. i didn't have to do any tremendous heavy lifting/sorting out the crazy stroller situation:)  

first stroller
regardless, the first stroller was not the original one we wanted.  however, it was one that my fellow mom friend of identical twin girls suggested and we bought it from her for $50.  it was the Double Snap 'N Go and it served its primary focus: strap my babies in, and take them somewhere.  it wasn't bad, and we definitely got the usage out of it, however... i had a few complaints that turned out to be major:
1. no diaper bag room: once the babies are strapped in, there's NO/little room for you to gather something from your diaper bag (which will be full for two babies).  it's virtually unreachable.  i hate that.  now, it's reachable ONCE the babies are out of the stroller or at least one baby is. see.
2. its wheels: if you're active, then this stroller isn't for you.  with the wheels it has, it isn't developed well enough to go over rocky terrain.  i mean, it's suitable for everyday use, but if you want to have a stroller that you'll plan on taking on walks, for a jog, on a hike (yah right, lol), etc..., then it's not for you.  i struggled with this stroller just going around the block on walks because a rock would get caught in the cheap wheels, it wouldn't go over the dirt correctly, a curb/concrete bump would catch it, and if your babies are sleeping, then the jerk might wake them up.
3. fold it: to close it, i felt as if it was a bit tricky and heavy (neither of which you want when your babies are screaming for you!).  it also didn't fold down very well and took up a lot of room, unfortunately.  HOWEVER, it was good.  it's a GREAT starter stroller. :)
4. pushing: i found it was difficult to steer because it was so long/straight, as well as it was HEAVY to push.
5. short-term: you won't use this stroller forever.  it's only suited for carseat accommodation.  so, once your babies start to grow long enough to touch their toes in the others' carseat while in the stroller, they have then grown out of this.  this happened to my girls (who are extremely LONG) around 6mo.  so, this stroller is short-term.  yes, yours might not grow as mine did, however, the most you'll use this is one-year.  they do now recommend that infants be in carseat carriers for two years, however, it depends on how long your baby is in this stroller.


stroller we use
i blogged about it here and here.  as i wrote, the stroller that i REALLY wanted was a Baby Jogger City Select (originally, i wanted a different one but turns out that didn't accommodate two carseats like i would need).  
- see all the variations? 
- does show a demo video.
- didn't go with BJ or BuyBuyBaby (the only place around where you can test it out) because we found it cheaper through an online distributor that i found through CraigsList.  now, i was skeptical at first, but it turned out to be legit when i saw the distributor was endorsed by BJ under their Internet Retailer section. :) 
- this stroller is MUCH pricier than a regular one you'd see at Babies 'R Us, however, you'll see why. before i tell you WHY, i'll tell you how much WE paid.  the retailer we went through has to advertise it for much more expensive than the price we paid per BJ policy.  yet, we saved HUNDREDS going through her (a mom in PA owns the stroller company) because she bundled the prices at the end.  her site is: JoggingStrollers4Less.com.  i decided here's what we paid after all the "discounts":

stroller w/ one seat: $400 

extra seat: $128

carseat attachments: $48 x 2 = 96

parent console (to hold drinks, a MUST!): $26 = $650

WITH FREE SHIPPING AND NO TAX!

 at BBB or BJ, tack on another $300 or so including shipping (through BJ) and/or tax, and the price is MUCH higher in the store.- originally, i was going to go with onyx or ruby (definitely not the diamond one, lol... in AZ), but once i saw that there would be a amethyst one available mid-march 2011 (around when i would need it), i desperately wanted it.  however, what got me was... what if i had another child?  a boy?  surely, not a purple stroller... the BEST part about this stroller: it's originally a ONE-seater. :)  which means, IF i had another child (boy), then i could buy an additional seat (black or red) for $128, and voila!  (you could also do that if you have a B/G- two different colored seats.)  don't have to buy a new one-seater stroller.  unless you plan on having twins + one kid less than two years apart, this stroller could definitely serve its purpose to seat many children to come!  lol :)  this will be the ONLY stroller you'll ever need.- based on THAT is why i went with the amethyst color, which i was absolutely thrilled with, and still am!  it's a showstopper.  where else do you see beautifully-colored purple strollers? :)- with this stroller, people stop and gawk at us while we pass on through.  some think that there's a third baby in the underneath compartment, often asking me if i have triplets.  lol.  whenever i'm out with the girls, i usually get asked where i got the stroller, and it's my chance to tell them the same thing.- with ordering it online makes it difficult to test-drive it before you buy.  so, i went to BBB, and did just that.  i asked them how this stroller compares to other double strollers, and they said, "this is the best double stroller we sell."  i couldn't believe it.  i asked if there was any complaint about them, and they told me the 2010 seats used to be smaller, and the 2011 version fixed that (roomier).  so, definitely get the 2011 version for that reason (especially if you want amethyst!)!
here's what i LOVE about my stroller:
1. versatile seating arrangement (as the BG website/demo video shows).
2. steers/drives like a million bucks: SO easy to just push.  pushes like a charm (hence "drives like a charm"- lol).
3. great for any type of terrain: can set it up to only steer the wheels straight and not swerving.  PERFECT for those who are active/joggers...4. designed for one, but accommodates two: as i already said.  however, it doesn't FEEL like you're pushing "two."  it's that easy.
5. accommodates TWO carseats/roomy seats: already said.  however, not many strollers accommodate TWO carseats in a roomy fashion.  it isn't claustrophobic for the babies or you.  for example, look at this similar priced stroller. the baby on the bottom?  mine would freak out.  i understand it's a jogging stroller, however whoever designed that is an idiot.  at any time, your baby can (around 6 mo. as mine are) reach out and touch the wheel.  i tried these out, and was flabbergasted they were so expensive and so poorly designed.
- either way, the carseat adapter allows for you to adjust/position the babies' carseats easily.  we started (around 6 mo.) started using the actual amethyst-colored seats AND they are SO roomy!  tons of room to grow.  plus, you can just tell how well made the seats are.  the umbrella part of the seats (over the babies' heads) is quite roomy, too.  they are made of GREAT quality, and quite durable.  they have a lot of overhead, which is GREAT now for my girls in the sun.  plus, it has this peek-a-boo feature on the top of their heads where i can peek through and see if they're sleeping/what they're doing without waking them up.  sometimes with my carseats, if i fold back the umbrella a bit, it disturbs my girls. :(  so, that's a great feature.
- the actual seats fold/lay many different ways, which is nice for a sleeping baby, an awake baby, a fussy baby... can almost flatten out the seat to where it serves sort of as a bassinet.
6. diaper bag compartment: it's HUGE and you can minmize or maximize the space.  sometimes, i take my reusuable shopping bags, put them in there, and do my grocery/shopping... yes, with my girls.  unless you go to Costco, there isn't a place in town that has dual sitting in a cart for twins.  so, until somebody tells me i can't, i do.  i push my stroller around instead of my cart.
7. fold down: it's EASY.  seriously, yes, it takes me now < 5 min. to take them out, put them in the car, take off the carseat adapters (when i still use them) or seats, and break it down.  it folds so easily into this 8" width space or so.  SO easy and doesn't take up much room.  is it heavy?  no.  not a back killer; that's for sure.  at Babies 'R Us, i tried to break down MUCH heavier strollers and couldn't!!!8. quality: super great quality.  the wheels are air, which is the best to get, and quite reliable.  everything about stroller is great.  as a mom of twins, i wanted something durable.  i know some moms who have gone through 5 strollers, and still aren't satisfied.
9. brake: super easy to use. a hand-brake.  not rocket scientist at all.  you'd be surprised the way some people designed double-stroller breaks and the fold down methodology.  it's so stupid and my husband couldn't even break down some strollers.  lol.  you want something quick and easy.

- obviously, when people asked what we needed, we just said that we need to buy a stroller which would be pricey.  it shipped here fairly quickly... since i had pre-ordered it, it took longer, obviously.  yet, it shipped here within a couple of days.  
- this stroller needs a specific carseat for it.  again, i knew what stroller i would want, so i chose the carseats based upon that.  i went with Graco Snugride 35 Laguna Bay per this.  why not pink ones?  i found them ugly @ B 'R Us.  lol.  i didn't know about BBB at that point.  now, it's better to go with an infant carseat carrier and not a convertible seat because #1 reason: if they're sleeping, then you don't disturb them.  with a convertible seat, you can't do these strollers.  also, with a convertible seat, you have to get them OUT of the seat even when they're sleeping. :(  now, w/ mine, i think the "35" means 35lbs., which is nice.  my friend recently mentioned that she wished that she got the bigger carseat for her baby now that she's a year.  also, they just passed a law where the babies have to be in these carseats for 2 years or whenever they reach a certain weight.  whichever comes first. 


so, what do you think?  what's your favorite stroller and why?

the MANY types of CD: pockets, part 2

i love pockets.  i know that i've written before about how much i love pockets.  i really do love them as they are suitable for anybody and everything:

- dry fast because of separate pieces
- can stuff more inserts in for maximum absorbency
- prepping the diaper takes hardly any time at all (i usually do them during a tv show)
- they are quite inexpensive

since i last blogged about when the girls were three months, i had ordered more FB diapers (in apple green, this sky blue color, and cotton candy pink), and some other pocket diapers.  why did i go another brand?  well, two reasons- i heard great reviews on mama blogs AND they were cheaper.  so, i thought, let's try it...

Kawaii Blue Label Diapers

- ONE-SIZE diaper.
- i got two (burgundy and rose- colored).  beautiful colors!
- the outside (minky) is incredibly soft and breathable for their skin (doesn't matter what season it is; my girls wear them in AZ, and they're fine).
- definitely not an overnight or long-period-of-time diaper... as my girls soaked through these in a few hours.
- bamboo inner layer with two bamboo inserts (which are quite flimsy if you ask me).
- they washed fine and dried fine (line-dried).

i did like the introduction to bamboo diapers, and i also ordered two of these Mom Label Diapers (in peach red and gold yellow).
- did i like them?  yes and no.
- snaps.
- the colors are GORGEOUS in person.  they are quite stunning.
- definitely not made of a stretchy fabric, which makes it hard to pull for a truer fit.
- haven't had any blowouts.  held in leaks fine. :)
- quite bulky once both inserts are placed in the diaper.
- do last at least 8+ hours for great absorbency!
- other than the colors, would not buy these again.

Kawaii Jeans' Print Pocket Diapers

- ONE-SIZE diaper.
- snaps.
- laced with fleece inside.
- comes with two microfiber inserts.
- wide enough space to move the inserts in and out [for stuffing], BUT they also agitate easily in the wash.  almost too much space, though, if you ask me.
- does not have a leg snap, unfortunately, so it isn't the "truest" of fits.
- holds a good enough absorbency, but definitely not an overnight diaper with just two inserts.
- can stuff more inserts in the diaper in for more absorbency.
- they washed fine and dried fine (line-dried).
- haven't had any blowouts.  held in leaks fine. :)
- would i recommend these?  yes and no.  i love the print, but not the fleece inner layer for reasons i've previously blogged about.
- absolutely adorable print!!!  LOVE them wearing these!

here's the thing about these Canadian-based Kawaii diapers: they're inexpensive.  SO, they are QUITE popular on the mama blogs because everybody wants "cheaper" diapers with the similar quality that every other place is selling... and, i thought that i was going to get the rest of my stash on this site.

BUT, there are three things that held me back:
1. they have horrible customer service (since my quest for cheaper diapers begun, i've read NUMEROUS complaints about K diapers... mainly about how the diapers are frequently out of stock).
2. they don't always have diapers in stock since they're made in China.  many times, they have listed dates as when the diapers will be available for purchase, but didn't meet that deadline. :( independent sites/stores buy them wholesale first (good and bad for the regular customers- good because if Kawaii runs out, then you can buy them through them, but bad because they jack up the price a few dollars).  i got so tired of waiting for the diapers (literally for months) to become *available* for purchase that i finally started looking elsewhere...
3. if you order from CAN, you might as well order at least $70 worth of fluff OR else your shipping is at least $20.

here's a comparison between the Kawaii Blue Label and Mom Labels:



if you can't see the video, then please click here.

all in all, these are great diapers if this is the route you choose to take... and, if you cannot purchase them via Kawaii's main site, then JackBeNatural is a great alternative with fabulous, quick shipping!  they also offer a credit for every purchase you make!  you can definitely see the prices between JBN and K's sites, eh??? :)

what are your thoughts... did CD just become more affordable for you?! :)

the MANY types of CD: fitted diapers, covers,

after the girls turned 3 months, i remember thinking that i wanted a nighttime diaper... obviously, only used for that.  i wanted to use my pockets during the day.  so, i was super excited when i saw this fabulous deal on fitted diapers on http://www.babysteals.com for quite inexpensive considering i got a two-in-one offer!  just note, though: normally, i wouldn't go for a fitted diaper, but this was what i could continue to use with my covers (the Thirsties ones were sized until 18lbs.) since i already had them.

Earth, Mom, and Baby Bumboo Size 2 Diapers

- this is the ad photo from BS (above).

- come in two different sizes, but i purchased the size 2... since my girls were already almost the 10lb. weight limit, and it'd last longer.  

- i purchased five sets of the diapers (remember, i have twins! haha)- rainbow, blue/green, pink/purple. :)

- see the colorful snaps?  [if you're a velcro person, then these aren't for you!  there are SO many snaps!  and, at first, i'll admit... i couldn't get it.  my hubby had to figure out how to snap everything together.  now, it's easy. :)].  just make sure to put the TAG on the INSIDE near the back of the diaper!  you'll see how that makes a world of difference!  also, once it's on the baby, you'll see a tag on the front with the Earth, Mom, and Baby Tag.

-  see below how to do put the diaper together (i couldn't find any YouTube videos).

- INCREDIBLY soft.  heavenly soft.  due to the bamboo/silk.

- why bamboo?  it's a completely natural fiber, used without pesticides.  4x longer absorbency than cotton.  usually, bamboo diapers are at the higher-end of CD's pricing.  nothing is man-made about the diapers... except, okay, maybe the buttons? ;)  here's more information about bamboo diapers here. (remember when i said that my girls were having issues later on with the man-made fabric?  thus, began my quest to find diapers that were suitable for their little bums... just like you would have to buy different disposables to get the "right one."  it's just more of an "investment" unfortunately.... as my hubby says, "it is what it is.")

- they come with extra liners ( if you want to lace the inside of the diaper for extra absorbency, then that'd work fine).  i usually lay the tongue all the way out, ready to fold, but put the extra liner towards the back (already folded over), so that way my girls have more padding in the back since that's where they need it.  obviously, it'd be opposite for a boy. :)

- QUITE absorbent.  seriously opposite of Tots Bots' Easy Fit!  

- quite pricey once you buy the fitted diaper AND the cover.

- ideal for travelling.

- 12+ hours of absorbency (depending on the baby, of course).  but, perfect for heavy-wetters.

- not for disposable-loving people because it takes some work to put together... now, that we've done it for six months, it hardly any time.  but, this diaper isn't one for your baby to go to the church's nursery in!  ha ha

- on KidCrawl, moms (like you and me who buy something from BS and realize for one reason or another that it's unnecessary) sell new/used items USUALLY at the price at which they purchased it!!!  so, i do see these on there, which is a fabulous chance for you to get them if you really want to.  see, BS only offers deals twice a day, and once they're out... then they're out (like Groupon but for babies/mamas).

- my Thirsties' covers didn't fit too well over the diaper because they were a sized cover, BUT ONE-SIZED covers work phenomenally!!!  (i'll get more into that in a bit.) try these one-sized covers, and you'll be shocked at the price and quality for just that: Kawaii Baby  (were priced at $4.50, but i guess their prices went up to $4.50, however can get in velcro and snaps) and BubuBibi (priced at an incredible $4.50, only comes in snaps).  why these?  do they have the sophisticated design of the Thirsties with the extra gusset?  no.  have i needed the extra gusset?  no.  

Thirsties' Baby Diaper Cover (not a one-size)- see the extra gusset to prevent any blowouts/leaks?  it's at the leg of the cover.

Kawaii Baby One-Size Diaper Cover

BubuBibi One-Size Diaper Cover

- here's a visual for how these BubuBibi diaper covers are one-sized:

awesome, huh?!?!

- between the Kawaiis and the BubuBibis, these are what we use for our fitted diapers, the Bumboos.  NEVER had a leak, blowout that wasn't contained.  

- here's a video review of the Kawaii One-Size Diaper Cover:

if you can't see this, then click here.

- IF you wanted to continue with prefolds OR start with prefolds (for that matter), then buy ONE-SIZED diaper covers.  otherwise, you'll have to repurchase every time your child grows out of that "size."  sort of defeats the purpose of going with CD to save $.

- would i recommend the fitted diapers?  absolutely.  are they complicated at first to navigate?  yes.  are they worth the extra absorbency?  yes.  for a single baby, if you were to make a purchase for a Bumboo, i would recommend just two sets.  obviously, i had to buy more for my twin girls. :)  

- are fitted diapers/diaper covers an expensive system?  yes, HOWEVER, we already had the diaper covers, and, "technically," it was just like purchasing another diaper for about $12, so it was worth it for us.  they're super soft, extra absorbent, but if you don't have the covers already, they may not be worth the investment.  BUT, above, i showed two new one-sized diaper covers that you could get for, seriously, cheap! (which is what we had to do because the sized diaper covers weren't quite "covering" the fitted diapers, unfortunately- BUT, the sized diaper covers would work super well with little babies... because they are sized.  you could use the one-size for the same thing, though!).  so, it is an option.

- are fitted diapers/diaper covers ideal for travelling?  yes, absolutely.  whenever we drive to/from CA/AZ, we put these on our girls, and they are great for long-periods of time (also quite comfortable!).

tell me... what are your thoughts on fitted diapers/diaper covers?

the MANY types of CD: pockets and AIOs

at three months, my mom and aunt came to visit.  naturally, we had to make a trip to my favorite CD store, Zoolikins.  i liked my Bumkins prefolds/Thirsties covers and only used my prefolds/covers... at home and during the day.  as i already said, they didn't absorb longer than 3 hours, so i wanted something with a longer absorbency.  also, they were quite bulky when the girls "tried" to fit into their carseats in an upright position.  i was using the Snappis, but didn't like them.  the "fit" wasn't always the "right" fit for us.  obviously, my eventual goal was to exclusively CD.  so, we headed over to the store, and i was so excited... could this be when i was going to FINALLY get the diapers i really wanted???

we were there for a few hours.  we were in luck- the store's owner and Bumkins' founder/owner was there.  the time flew by so fast and we learned SO much about CD, tips, preferences, tricks, etc... we left SO informed with definite new insight! such a GREAT way to have spent our afternoon! 

so, i told Jakki (the owner) my top THREE needs:

- CD my twins exclusively

- maximum absorbency (last longer than three hours)

- a nighttime diaper

with that information, mind you, remember, i wanted to CD my twins exclusively, i asked her about the bumGenius CD.  i told her that's the one i wanted.  i had friends who had the bG and loved them, so that's also what i wanted.  i thought that i had my mind made up.  

now, if you're unfamiliar with CD, then i'll give you a quick update: bG is like the SONY of TVs but for CD.  it's like the GEICO for car insurance but for CD.  when you HEAR about CD, you first/usually hear about bG.  why?  it was the first, or one of the first, and it's ALL over.  with the advertisements, word-of-mouth, CD stores, on blogs... that's what people first hear about when it comes to CD. 

[now, the last time i was at buybuyBABY (we're so LUCKY to have not one but two in AZ.  why?  it's a Bed Bath & Beyond, but for babies!!!), i saw that bG diapers were now being carried there!!!  so awesome.  same price, BUT, you can use coupons there (you know those $5 off coupons from BBB or the 20% off?  yup, those.  also, doesn't matter if they're expired.  YUP.  you're welcome. :)]

OR people hear about gDiapers because Babies 'R Us carries them (their only CD they carry, by the way).  when i was looking at CD and i was at B 'R Us, i couldn't believe how *expensive* gDiapers were!  all i thought was, how am i going to afford THOSE?!  so, i kept looking for other affordable options.  


anyway, back to my requests for Jakki to find me diapers suitable for my needs.


she suggested two: Tots Bots and Fuzzibunz. 


Fuzzibunz One-Size Diaper

- below are videos to demonstrate how to use/the deets of the diaper.
- i got these in Crushed Berries (a darkish pinkish purple) and Grape (purple- the color above doesn't do it justice... it's truly a grape purple!)- both BEAUTIFUL colors!
- J suggested this for me for the adjustable elastic. (let's be frank: i have ONLY adjusted my *diapers* two times.  yes, it's a brilliant concept that nobody else can use (she patented it), but i haven't nearly used the elastic as much as i thought i would.)  also, comes with an extra elastic.
- top-of-the-line product. 
- i was impressed with how easy this diaper was to use.
- ONLY comes in snaps (this is where i was introduced to snaps... more durability, but i'll blog about that later).
- can last up to 14 hours overnight = perfect solution for a nighttime diaper!!!
- a bit bulky once both inserts are in the diaper.
- ONE-SIZE diaper... meaning, you can use it from NB to potty training = ONLY diaper you'll ever need to purchase!  
- quick drying time (the inserts are separate from the shell.  often, i throw them in the washer with the inserts still in there, AND they fall out in the wash... sometimes they have fallen out, so i just pull out the inserts as i throw the diapers in the wash.  so easy.  takes < 2 minutes.)
- this has contained the MOST blowouts of BLOWOUTS.  i've never had them leak.  have my girls maxed out the absorbency/ability of the diaper?  absolutely.  every stain has come out, and i've never had anything seep from the diapers (i had that in disposable diapers).
- comes with two microfiber inserts (one short, one long), which can be dried separately (in the dryer while the diaper needs to be line-dried)! 
- the inner is laced with fleece, and the outside shell is waterproof.  (i did have a problem and still do with the man-made fabric.  my girls are quite sensitive to man-made fabric, which is why i have since then had to switch to a different type of diaper inner material.  later, i'll blog about it.)
- even so, this is still a GREAT diaper.  

   
if the site doesn't work, then visit here.

  
if the site doesn't work, then visit here.

   
if the site doesn't work, then visit here. 

 
if the site doesn't work, then visit here.

Tots Bots' Easy Fit

- got this one in white. :)  (right, what was i thinking!?  no, not at all.  i remember the first time my girls pooped into it... no joke... because of the sun, EVERYTHING came OUT.  can't even tell.  AND, I GOT A WHITE ONE!)  they do have BEAUTIFUL colors, though!  we got white because i needed two, and they had other colors but just one.
- this also is a ONE-SIZE diaper.
- an AIO (All-In-One) diaper, which means that no inserts are needed.
- J chose this one for me because even though it's an AIO diaper, it also has a "tongue" feature where the "insert" pops in/out for quicker drying time (even for an AIO!)!!!  (this is my ONLY AIO diaper x2 because i don't like how long they take to dry compared to the pockets/prefolds/covers...)
- the inner diaper is layered with bamboo (natural fibers which are BEST for a baby's skin) and the opposite side of the "tongue" is microfiber.  
- contains high-quality aplix closure (velcro), so it closely resembles a disposable diaper.
- easy to use and great for people who need it be as EASY as possible (dads, grandparents, daycare, church).
- not bulky at all. :)  i put these on my girls when i don't want them to have a CD booty!  ha ha ;)
- can only last for about three hours... and, that's max.  why?  doesn't have high absorbency.  i don't know why.  if i could change one thing about this diaper, then i would change that.  definitely NOT an overnight diaper.  an option?  you can place more inserts in there.  however, i did that (placed an extra microfiber insert), and even though, it still maxed out at 4 hours. :(
- have i ever had blowouts with this diaper?  no.  it has kept EVERYTHING in, but sometimes when i've opened the diaper, it's COMPLETELY full. :)
- would i recommend it?  absolutely.  is it for long periods of time?  no way.
 
 
if the site doesn't work, then visit here.

 
if the site doesn't work, then visit here.


the same day, we also purchased:

- a Planet Wise Wet Bag (medium)
(i wanted one since the last visit, BUT i didn't foresee myself going anywhere at first- traveling with CD, i mean- so, i didn't get it.  i love that this bag.  the fabric is adorable, and its liner separates from the inner liner... so there are two layers.  i did think that this was pricey at $16.95, however i did find cheaper ones later on...)

when we left, we were SO excited to try our diapers for the first time!!!  :)

what are YOUR favorite pockets/AIO diapers?

in less than two

(note: well, they started army crawling on Monday, August 29th, and they DEFINITELY showed me that they know how to do it.
i guess they surpassed the norm.  they only sit up supported, haven't fallen face forward to get in position, but just started to army crawl...)

can it be only 11 o'clock?!

the girls and i have been awake since a little past 8, and here's what we've accomplished:

- playing and moving around in their play area here at my parents' house
- Mama updating some hilarious baby incidents on FB
- putting the laptop on the ground, and the girls start coming towards it, so i brilliantly thought, let's Skype.
- so, Skyping with Tati
- Willow has a loose-poopy (BM mustardy with a bit of solids/formula in it) diaper, so we keep Skyping as mama changes it (which Willow thinks its then time for her "rolling over" gymnastics' routine), i set the diaper aside in a bucket as i proceed to change Bliss' diaper.
- gab asks me why our daughter's still naked as i attempt to keep Willow from banging on the keys on the computer.  (apparently, she thinks that's how we type emails to Tati.)

then, here's what happens in less than two minutes:
- we end our Skype convo, and in the moment that i'm trying to finish Bliss' diaper change, Willow moved towards the diaper in the bucket (at least two, three feet away), grabs it, and i look over to find the diaper ALL over her...
- i shriek, "no, Willow!" and she starts to cry... then, i see some (yes) *ahem* "stuff" on her top lip, her left arm, her right arm... by the computer... oh boy!  had to move fast!!!
- quickly, i grabbed a wet soapy cloth and attempt to clean it up, but see that Bliss is still naked, and i wanted to put on some lotion/cream on her  body.  however, Bliss would rather have my California Baby Diaper Area Wash, so i kick that out of the way (at least four, five feet this time), grab Willow to clean her up, and meanwhile, Bliss' STILL army crawling going for that CB spray WITH her naked booty!!!  she was DETERMINED.  i got it away from her for good, and she, of course, was upset.  yay!
- i was so nervous that Bliss was going to... you know... take care of her bodily functions without the diaper (but, what's one more mess?).
- i felt so bad for Willow, but cleaned her up as good as new, ***finally*** changed Bliss' diaper, clothed her, gave her a bottle, put her blanket around her head, and homegirl is out cold.  on the ground.  like her sister the previous two days.
- clothed Willow, and put her in the back crib with a bottle since apparently her sissy decided to forego her sleeping arrangements and take advantage of the rock hard floor.

~silence~

OH BOY!!!  i can't help but think- Did that really just happen?

a movie couldn't have scripted that better, and in the midst of everything, i just couldn't believe everything that kept happening while also chuckling a laugh that it was so bizarre!  major domino effect!

definitely goes down in the books.

the adventures of twins, poopy diapers, multi-tasking, making quick, irrational decisions, and how-not-to-Skype! 

positive: they KNOW how to army crawl now, my ADHD was maxed out!

negative: hopefully, they'll never read this post. 

the MANY types of CD: prefolds/covers and start-up stash with accessories

yup.  it's true.

when our girls were 5 weeks old, we decided that they were big enough to "fit" into CD since they must have been around 8lbs. (a guess.)  up until that point, i knew, or thought (haha) i knew which type of CD we were eventually going to invest in.  but, even though i really wanted to do this, my thinking was (as i've already mentioned this before)- are we REALLY going to follow-through with this after making such a huge investment?  no matter how much we make an investment in something sometimes, there's always a chance that we don't follow through.  it's a HUGE risk, considering the $ and time invested.  i was determined to make it work, but still.  forking all that $ over for... what? OMG, the chance that it doesn't work?

so, we started small.  by small, i mean the price.  our initial stash was from our local homegrown CD store, Zoolikins.  below is the package that we had.

prefolds/covers 

we started with the simplicity package- infant, which consisted of:
- 36 Bumkins prefolds (the unbleached cotton fabric rectangles above)
- 6 Thirsties covers in the above colors
- 3 Snappis (in lieu of the lovely diaper pins that the former generations used ;)

we ended up purchasing:
- four additional covers (thanks, mom!) in white (totally recommend it, although i was super nervous about the ~poop~ with it, haha) and bright blue.
- a couple of extra Snappis (purple for Willow Kate and pink for Coral Bliss, of course!).
- disposable liners (catches the poop?  no way!  we were hooked.  do i recommend it for people just starting out?  absolutely.  it's a nice "introduction" to CD/poopy diapers.  for months, i didn't use them, and i just started using them again.  why?  i was given 200 of them for free. :)  why else?  they do save "time/effort" when cleaning the diaper IF you're not immediately placing it in the wash OR it's formula/solids' poop. :)  also, they are biodegradable!  score!!!  just so you know, though- do they cover the diaper and catch the entire waste?  NO.  but, they are a GREAT alternative to using a diaper spray or not wanting to fool with a poopy diaper.)

- a diaper spray (i already planned on this, but my hubby said that if we were going to CD, then this would be a necessity- haha; honestly, this is a LIFESAVER.  highly recommend getting this IF you plan on seriously CD.  you will not regret it.  and, when your CD days are over, you can multi-use it for your hemorrhoids, feminine hygience, and pregnancy and postpartum hygiene!)

- Kissaluvs' terry cloth wipes (i wasn't so sure about this, but decided that we would try it.  honestly, at first, i didn't use them... for a week or two.  i thought that we'd just do the CD and disposable wipes = BIG MISTAKE.  when you do that, you need to separate the wipes from the CD afterward.  who wants to sift through that?  no thanks.  it's another waste of time and money.  so, we started to use these.  no thanks.  why?  they're washcloths.  and, very non-user friendly.  too thick to serve its purpose.  i became discouraged as i wanted to CD with CW, but i didn't know what i needed, but something thinner and lighter that resembled a regular disposable wipe.  so, my mom whipped up some flannel wipes for me around the same size as a disposable wipe, and we LOVED them.  since then, months later, those are still the only ones we've used.  the best part?  completely reusable.  just throw it in the wash with my diapes... plus, don't have to worry about my wipes "drying out" or my hubby using "too many"- as they do that!  later, i'll get more in-depth with the "solution" i use with my CW.)

- a purple pail liner (love it!  bought a standard flip-up waste can that is sort of like this one, and you don't need a fancy one.  instead of stepping on the bottom, you press the top, and it pops open.  in there, i have my liner.  this liner is awesome.  it eliminates odor while still preserving the wetness of the diaper so that, come wash day, it's good to wash the stains out.)

now, with all that said.  i used the Snappis, but hated them.  i suppose hate is a strong word.  i disliked them because sometimes, i'd get really good fits with the prefolds, and sometimes i'd fight the cotton for something decent.  it was like a war.  a struggle.  okay, i exaggerate.  regardless, i didn't prefer them.

why?

i wanted something easy, and these didn't feel easy with me.  below is a video on five different prefold options (God Bless YouTube!).  i did #1 (but with more cotton in the front- don't ask me why as it's not like i have boys- haha) at first.  sometimes, i got a really great fit as i mentioned.  it wasn't easy, though.

then, when we revisited Zoolikins later (7 weeks), the owner showed me a similar fit to #4... to stuff the dumb prefold in the cover.  i felt so dumb when i saw that.  i said those exact words to her, too.  lol.  i felt dumb that i didn't think of that, but i liked that.  i liked that i could reuse the cover once i change out the prefold at a diaper change AND i liked that i could stuff the diapers ahead of time.  brilliance.)

anyway, i did #1 and #4 folds:



if the link doesn't work, then visit here.

now, my CHIEF complaint about the prefolds is that they weren't suitable for nighttime/longer periods (2-3+ hours) AND they were quite bulky to sit a baby in a carseat (my girls would literally have trouble sitting correctly because of the bulkiness, but remember... i did the #1 and #4 folds).

however, i was researching prefold videos and saw this video below.  duh.  i now want to try that nighttime solution.  haha!!!



if the link doesn't work, then visit here.

below is another fabulous fold to maximize the absorbency... what's nice about prefolds is that you can try so many different folds until you find the one you love.  i did and that is to stuff the cover with the prefold ahead of time- sort of like with a pocket (more on that later).  mind you, this person below is using a larger prefold- NOT an infant one.



if the link doesn't work, then visit here.

finally, i want to also inform you that prefolds DO take a lot of initial prep time- about 6 washes, BUT once you do that, there won't be anymore insane prep.

would i recommend prefolds to anyone?  absolutely.  totally worth it and we have no regrets about our initial diaper stash/investment.  to this day, my girls are 8 months old, and we still use them!  :)

i leave you with this BRILLIANT idea on how to CD on a budget... with those numerous receiving blankets that you have around your house!!!  or, you can go pick up several at a store and make them work! :)  see the video below for more details.



if the link doesn't work, then visit here.

what are your thoughts on prefolds/covers?

the scoop on poop

POOP?

that's the negative stigma that usually turns people away at the thought of CD.   CD is so much easier than people imagine, but they always get caught on this first obstacle- poop.  here are some of the many questions i've been asked:


"poop?  oh gross!  i'm not going to touch poop!"
"how do you deal with the poop?"
"you have to CLEAN the diaper?"
"why not just throw the diaper in the trash? that's what i do."
"that's disgusting.  i'd rather use disposables and not deal with poop."

lemme set this fact straight: whether you use disposables or CD, you will deal with poop.  it doesn't matter how glamorous the world perceives you (or you yourself, for that matter), you will deal with poop.  it's a part of life.

here's the real kicker: on disposable diapers' packaging, it is SUPPOSED to list, whether in small font or large font (haha, yeah right) that you are instructed to discard the waste down the toilet.  EVERYBODY is "supposed" to be dealing with poop in the same fashion- discarding it down the toilet (hence, waste down the toilet- not in the garbage can).


Pampers states this... though, not explicitly.  you have to jump through many hoops to even find this on its page.  but, here's what they say under "waste removal":

but, why do we have to even discard the poop down the toilet?  

seriously, we have to ask this question?  


where does our waste go?  in the garbage?  i think not.  it goes where it belongs.

it's not supposed to be just CD, but also disposables.  yet, typically, do the disposable users do that?  from personal experience, i think not.  i know that for the first five weeks of my girls' lives, we used disposables as i've stated before.  many were given to use, and i have to say that, each time i put on a sposie, i felt entirely guilty.  so guilty.  i knew what disposables contained- the chemicals and the fact that they weren't biodegradable.  i felt beyond guilty.  yet, there was no other fit since they were preemies.  from my research, i hadn't found any CD that would fit them.  i was wrong. from what i know now, there are many available options.  
just because someone uses a disposable diaper doesn't give the leniency of a wildcard.  still, the poop needs to go where it belongs- in the toilet.

why???

"Apparently babies and small children excrete many viruses in their feces including Hepatitis A, rotavirus, shigella, salmonellosis, amebiasis, live polio virus (from vaccines), and typhoid among others. In order to keep these viruses from contaminating underground water supplies, poop should not be dumped into a diaper pail and thrown out with the trash." (per mamaTRUE)


so gross when put it like that.  (and, we wonder why our population is so sick!!!)  it stinks that those viruses are lurking around while they could be prevented in some measure.

but, does the disposable diaper companies market this in their advertising- commercials, packaging???  nope.

here's what they "claim":

there isn't enough ROOM on their packaging to include such a disclaimer as discard it into the toilet?


no wonder nobody knows.

initially, when i researched CD and was told this information (about discarding the waste regardless), i was floored.  i couldn't believe it.


how does this make you feel?


now, there are options on how to make your life easier when dealing with P... stay tuned for that post. :)

the steal network

many months ago, i remember seeing on FB that my friend, jessica, had shared with us on her wall that Ergo Baby Carriers were available on BabySteals for almost half price!  intrigued as i was, i needed a new baby carrier (my Baby Bjorn wasn't cutting it as i didn't like how it "fit" my girls), and as much as i had previously "bookmarked" this site, i really had no idea what i was in for... until, i check it out.  i purchased my Ergo, and have bought some Bumboo Cloth Diapers (our nighttime fitted cloth diapers), Baby Banz sunglasses (pink for Coral Bliss and purple for Willow Kate), and some innobaby snack-size containers for when my girls are old enough.  


here are its deets:


what? you know those pricey items in the baby store/boutique that you'd LOVE to purchase, but the price tag just itches at your wallet?  well, look no further.  BS and KS offer fabulous mama-related or baby/kids-related brands/items for such a great price that it's a steal.  up to 80% off, you will save $, time, and headache from shopping around with your baby in tow to purchase the most perfect, practical necessities or gifts.  


where?  based out of UT, they quickly ship the package... i've seen my packages within three days of shipment.  the postage is a reasonable price, as well.


when? BabySteals.com - offers a 9a.m. and 9p.m. (MT) steal; KidSteals.com - offers a 9a.m. (MT) steal or visit the Steal Network to look at all of them at once.  make a decision fast because they sometimes sell out within minutes!  


how? so, let's say that you bought something that you ended up not using or rarely used.  there's this AWESOME site, KidCrawl.com where you can buy items that other parents (like you!) bought from the BS/KS/SS, but for roughly the same price!  no more ebay/amazon/craigslist shopping! :)

here's another similar site that you'll also bookmark:

Baby Half-Off - just like BS, but a different site.  local.  based in mesa.

happy shopping!!!

culture pass for phoenix-area

whoever created this idea is BRILLIANT!!!

my friend, jen and i just discovered the culture pass, and we are so thankful and stoked at the same time. :)  here are its deets:

what? admits 2 adults to a local museum/zoo/outdoor attraction for free.  

where? so far, we have visited to the Phoenix Children's Museum and the Arizona Science Center.  when the weather cools down, we plan on visiting the outdoorsy places like the Desert Botanical Garden, The Phoenix Zoo, and many more! :)

when? once you check out the pass, you have one week to use it, and then it will go back on the shelf.  they will give you a receipt that you will then take to the destination and get in free. :) you can only check out two passes per month.

why? to save families $$$ in this hard economical time AND for mamas to get out of the house and meet up for playdates!  especially good for the summer where you can go to an indoor place with ice-cold a/c!  it's a nice change to save some $ from the admission and instead buy lunch, pay for parking, and have a great playdate with your babies!  plus, you're not rushed to get through everything so you take your time because you can always go back for more. :)  finally, it's a CHEAP way to get to know the city if you're new to phoenix!

how?  first-come, first-serve at the local library (chandler, glendale, phoenix, peoria, mesa, scottsdale, or tempe)- only a limited amount available.  i've gotten two tickets so far in two weeks... how?  i "stalk" (ha ha) the phoenix library and the glendale library's catalogs (the latter one is closer to me and where i've gotten them), and consistently check when CP are due or if they are "sorting." 

here is the phoenix library's catalog.  search "culture pass" under "title," and see what's available close to you. 

here is the glendale library's catalog.  search "culture pass" under "exact title."

for more information, please visit here.

enjoy!!!

new mom tip #3

i love washcloths, but didn't always.  my preemies didn't really need a washcloth for me to fully bathe them.  my hand suited just fine.  so, for a long time, they just collected dust (ha ha) under our changing table.  then, my girls started to teethe, and i was told to give my girls a frozen washcloth.  brilliance.  it's great for me to even piggyback on their treasure and use on our hot days in AZ outside and about!  another great purpose (besides bathing, of course) is to give your baby a wet washcloth AFTER you finish feeding solids.  they "help" clean up their faces, hands by playing with the washcloth.  your job just got easier. :)