I made Eric a nice little list of stuff today, all stuff he needs to finish for Shim. I told him he has until the end of the week, b/c time is passing very quickly. I had the jeep detailed today, so we are ready for car seat installation. That's one of the things on his list. I ordered a PUL bag for the diaper pail, and some stuff called punkin booty bits (people who cloth diaper will understand this). I got two travel foaming bottles, plus the sampler with five different scents. I can't wait until it comes in! The booty bits is essentially something you mix with water, and it makes a solution to put into a spray bottle. You then spray the solution on a wipe for diaper changes. Yes, that means I'm not using disposable wipes either. When you CD, it's easier to use cloth wipes, otherwise you have to have second trash can just for wipes. Plus, I'm all neurotic about chemicals and the such.
So many people ask me why I've chosen to use cloth diapers. There are a variety of reasons, and it's different for everyone who chooses to CD. My personal reasons consist of three things. Number one, I am much more comfortable with putting cloth next to Shim's bottoms than disposables. There are a lot of chemicals in disposable that I'm just not very comfortable with. For example, in the 1980's the government outlawed a particular chemical in tampons b/c of a high cancer risk. This same chemical is legal and present in current day disposables. I don't want that on Shim. I see alot of abcesses on poor baby butts at work; it's really just crazy. Cloth diapers are SO soft, and you can even buy them in organic fabrics. I figure it has to be more comfortable for my little man.
My second reason for using CD is the tremendous money saving that happens over time. It costs more up front, but in the long run we'll save thousands of dollars. Especially when you CD more than one child. My third reason is the environment. It can take up to 500 years for just one sposie to break down in the landfill.
So, those are my reasons. Most people I know don't think I'll last at CD, and maybe I won't. But as of now, I'm committed....and I've got a really supportive husband. I feel bad for women online who talk about their husbands, mothers, and MIL refusing to put a CD on their baby. I searched for weeks to find a daycare that will take CD, b/c I simply wouldn't have it any other way. My mom is supportive- she's even sewing some diapers for the little man! My MIL is on board as well, and it really helps that my SIL Linds is going to CD as well.
I'm not using a diaper service to wash the diapers. It in my eyes defeats the purpose, since they use harsh and potentially dangerous chemicals and cleaners. I'll be washing here at home, every other day. It'll create alot of work for me, but is worth it in my eyes. We all make sacrifices for our children, and this is simply one I've decided is right for me and my family.
Once the nursery is 100% done, I'll take pics, including the CD stash. We have pics on Tuesday night, and once those are developed and framed, we are done!!! I cannot believe we're almost ready and that he'll be here soon. I feel further along than 34 weeks and 2 days, probably b/c I feel humongous. Oh the joys of the third trimester.
