First Impressions: Smartipants One Size Pocket Diapers

One of my friends tried cloth diapering for a little while and decided it wasn't for her.  When she found out that I was going to give it a whirl, she asked if I would like her stash.  OF COURSE I accepted.  I was so excited.  Included in her gift were 12 Smartipants One Size Pocket Diapers.

At first glance, I thought these diapers were going to be great.  There are two rows of snaps for the sizing so there are three size settings on this diaper (pictured to the side and below).  The diaper is supposed to fit from 7lbs to 35 lbs.  Even though it is supposed to fit at 7lbs, I didn't think this diaper would have a good fit until at least 10lbs to 12lbs.  The leg gussets don't really get tight on the smallest setting so I feel that if they are used on a baby that small, leaks may occur.  I must say though that this dipe is a very economical option being priced at only $14.95 a diaper including the insert.

This diaper has a snap closure which I really liked at first.  I thought to myself that it might last longer than Aplix or Velcro.  Also, on one side you can overlap the snaps which I thought would be great for any custom fit I needed to attain (pictured above).  One thing about these dipes that I found though was that even though they were used and had been washed multiple times, the snaps were super hard to unsnap.  This really concerned me.  I kept thinking about how I would punch my baby or my belly every diaper change to get the things undone, and that was a VERY unpleasant thought.  I also started to think more about how the dipes only have one row of snaps for closure.  This concerned me as well just in case the overlapping feature wasn't quite enough to get that perfect fit.

This diaper features a unique pocket style.  It has openings on both the front and the back of the dipe (pictured on the side, you can tell this by the green stitching on the ends of the insert).  This is to keep mommies and daddies from having to take out the insert after each change before putting the dipe in the pail.  Instead, you can just leave the insert in, and it will agitate out in the wash.  At first I thought this might be cool, but I am not sure how that will work with our front loader.  Also, for me personally, I am not sure how much it is really going to bother me to pull the insert each time.  I would probably do it anyway for fear of a failed try at agitating out.  The other thing I noticed about this is that on the smaller setting, the insert sticks out on both sides, and it can be difficult to get it to lay flat inside the pocket.

Like all pocket diapers, a great feature is the shortened drying time of the diaper.  The inserts can be dried in the dryer, and the cover can be hung to dry.  The hang dry really doesn't take that long which is a plus.

I want to remind everyone again that these reviews are just my first impressions.  I have not had the baby yet so I cannot give a review for actual use of the dipes yet.  Even though my thoughts on these dipes tend to be more negative, I really really want to like them.  There are a lot of great features so if these hold up once the little one comes, you all will be the first to know.  You never know, my mind might be completely changed!!

UPDATE: Seth's Crazy Car Month!!

Well...last time we talked, Seth had 13 and 1/2 cars out for February.  God apparently wanted to show us that He wasn't done yet.  Seth finished the month with 20 and 1/2 cars out.  That is craziness.

If we turn back like the Israelites did after this provision, we have a lot of maturing to do.  I find myself praying a lot about how we are to steward what the Lord has given us.  If He lays it on your heart, will you pray for us too?

BABY SHOWERS: 1st of 3

So I woke up yesterday morning, and I was super excited because it was the 1st of 3 baby showers that my friends and family have set up.  Now I know 3 baby showers really sounds like a lot, but let me explain.

The one yesterday was put on by two good friends in the city I live.  My family (both my mom's and my husband's) live about an hour from us.  So...the baby shower here is for all my friends that live close to us. Then my mother is throwing me one for her family to attend, and my mother-in-law is throwing me one for her family to attend. Both families are fairly large.  There, hope that makes a little more sense.

Anyway, I just wanted to get on here and say how thankful I am to all of my friends for the lovely encouragement and gifts that I received from them.  This day was truly special, and I am so glad that I got to spend it with all of you!

My two friends who were hosting made delicious treats.  One made chicken cheese steak which makes me very, very happy.  And the other made these awesomely delicious chocolaty, ice creamy, andes mints thingys.  MMMM...

The encouragement really came in the form of a prayer time.  Oh how lovely this was!  I was seriously on the verge of crying multiple times.  Thank you guys!!

Here are just a few of the fun things that I received...Baby Hunter is going to be so happy!
Several onesies - striped, gatorfied, monkeyfied, caterpillarfied ;-)
Cute sleepers with monkey feet
Teethers
Pacifiers
And the essential of all essentials...a nursing cover!!

Yay!  Thanks again to you all.  You have no idea what it meant to me for you to all join me in this exciting time!!

2:37 AM - Awake, Hungry AND Heartburn UGH

It's 2:37 AM, and I roll over for what I think is going to be my normal nighttime bathroom visit...YEAH RIGHT! I come back to bed and cannot fall asleep.  So begins this early morning.  Worried that I will wake Seth up by getting up a second time, I try to get out of bed as quietly and delicately as I can.  PHEW...I made it.

I think to myself, if I just get online for a little bit, maybe I will get tired and go back to bed.  Then it hits me, a wave of thirst like no other.  Well, I better get to the kitchen fast.  Downing a couple of cups of water, I start to feel hydrated again.  I go back to the computer to try to make myself tired.

BAM...Heartburn hits!  OUCH!  I have been fortunate enough not to experience this often during this pregnancy, but when it hits, I run for the door.  This feeling just kills, and I feel as though nothing will soothe it.

On top of all of that...here come those wacky pregnancy cravings followed by real hunger pangs.  Last night, Seth took me to Cracker Barrel to wine and dine me after a long week of past hours work nights.  So I gladly accepted this gift LOL.  Well I had leftover chicken and dumplings in the fridge, and I could just hear them calling my name.  Really...they wouldn't stop no matter how much I tried to ignore them.  Chicken and dumplings at what was then 3:18 AM?  Seriously...paired with heartburn?

Well I have now finished my chicken and dumplings and this post at what is now 3:51 AM.  Are you wondering if I am tired yet?  The answer is no!  AHHHHH...This is driving me nuts.

I just want to say a few words to this lovely miracle inside of me...WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING TO MY BODY??  I guess I will have to ask him that later when he can actually answer...

UPDATE: Handing My Job Off to Another

Okay...so the person that got hired to take over my job ended up getting a different one better suited to her capabilities.  I was SOOO happy for her because I believe that she deserved it.  Still...it stunk in general knowing that I am in month 8 of pregnancy and now had to wait on another person to get hired AND hopefully train them by the time the baby comes.  That was a hard week to process through.

THEN YAY...a guy that we originally interviewed accepted the position.  This was such a relief knowing that once again, my job will be in good hands!  He doesn't start until March 8th, so I still have to wait 8 more days BUT I think his training will go fairly quick.  After that I can start to chill and just review his work until miracle boy appears :-)  So much stress has been lifted from me since he accepted.  I am so thankful!

I just need to remember that the Lord provides...just like he did in this situation!