Lotus Bums Cloth Diapers Review & Giveaway

Lotus Bumz is a cloth diaper company that was started by Lorain, a WAHM. From their Facebook page: Lorain started Lotus Bumz when she realized that there is a great need for an affordable cloth diaper.  After deciding to go with cloth diapers with her newborn and seeing the physical benefits it had on his skin as well as knowing that using cloth is so much better for the environment than disposables diapers, she decided more parents need to know about and be able to afford this great way of diapering.  


I had the pleasure of testing out the Lotus Bumz diaper.  Lorain was so sweet and sent a diaper for each of the boys!

Lotus Bumz are pocket diapers and include a large 3-layer microfiber insert.  The outer layer is a waterproof PUL and there is a microfleece lining that sits against your baby's tush.  The first thing that I noticed when we received the diapers is how soft the PUL is.  It almost has a satin feel and shimmer to it.  Very nice!

The diaper is one size and has both a snapable rise and waist band.  Each diaper tab features 3 snaps -- including 1 hip snap so that there is no drooping.  Also, they have the ability to cross over for a nice fit for the wee little ones.  We prefer snaps at our house because Xavier is so good at taking his applix diapers off.  In fact, recently he has learned how to unsnap diapers even.  However, we have noticed that the Lotus Bumz snaps are a little tighter fit than most other diapers.  While this means they take an extra second to push together, it also means that toddlers can't remove their diaper!  As excited as I am for Xavier to have a new fine motor skill, it sometimes means that I find him streaking down the hallway at an inopportune time.  Lotus Bumz takes care of that!

Another part of the diaper that I want to mention is the pocket.  This pocket is great because it has an extra piece of fleece on the back of the pocket to hold the insert in.  I love that because I feel so badly for the boys when I see that the insert has creeped out of the pocket and is right against their skin. Ick. I hate the feel of it on my hands for even a couple minutes, I can't imagine how uncomfortable that is over a couple of hours.  The extra piece tucks into the pocket on top of the insert and prevents the diaper from 'un-stuffing' itself.  I know some other brands have this feature, but Lotus Bumz seems to have a more generous cut to help keep the insert in place.

One of the best things about these diapers is the price!  Normally, the diapers run around $15 or $16 each. (Which is a great price for a one-size pocket diaper!)  I have noticed though that there are  always great sales going on.  For example, right now there is a bundle that includes 3 diapers with inserts and a wet bag all for $49!  That is unheard of for a quality diaper!

Look how trim those diapers are on BOTH boys!

I find myself grabbing this diaper a lot and it does a great job!  These are a great option for those that are trying cloth for the first time (or anybody that wants to expand their stash) and not spend a bundle.

You can purchase Lotus Bumz on their website.  Also, be sure to enter to win a Lotus Bumz diaper below!  One lucky winner will be selected by random.  All entries must be submitted via the Rafflecopter widget below the break. Good luck!

Quinton's First Solid Food Experience

Quinton is quickly approaching the 6-month mark.  In fact, we are only a week away.  We decided on Saturday to let him experience his first solid food.  Avocado.  With Xavier I made all of his food, pureed it, froze it, etc. etc.  This time around, we are going to try baby led weaning for a couple of reasons.  1) Making baby food is a lot of work and takes a lot of space in the freezer.  Because we are in an apartment now, we don't really have a lot of extra room.  Not to mention, I don't have a ton of extra time, either! 2)  It just makes sense to us.  If it doesn't work out we will figure out another option, but for now, baby led weaning it is!

Anywho, here are a few pictures to mark the occasion.

I was really amazed that he was able get the food to his mouth and also his chewing motions.  However, all in all, he wasn't a fan tonight. We'll try again in a day or two.

First Ever

As many of you know, I breastfeed.  I breastfed Xavier until he was 16 months old and my milk supply died because of my pregnancy.  Quinton is still going strong at almost 6 months old now!  In all of that time I have taken many pictures and never posted them.  Why? I don't know really.  I guess there are a couple of reasons.  I just never got around to it or didn't want people to think I'm some sort of nudist.  (Aren't we all a little bit nudist deep down?  Unless you are a never nude, of course.) And really, I didn't want to deal with the emails of those offended by a beautiful, natural phenomenon.

So here is my first posted breastfeeding photo. I was able to capture this picture and couldn't help but share. I just love this little face!  I also love that I was able to show a glimpse of my view to my husband.  This is Quinton's sweet "Mom, I'm ready for the other boob" look.

Do you take pictures of your babes breastfeeding?  Do you post them or keep them in a private file for your family?

Modia Modern Cloth Diapers Review & Giveaway

Modia Diapers was started by two moms that cloth diapered their own little girls.  In fact, Modia comes from a combination of their ladies: Moriah & Lydia!

I was sent one of the cutest diapers ever!  (Look at that diaper and tell me it isn't cute!)  Modia creates both pocket diapers and fitted diapers.  Today I'm going to focus on the pockets.

Their diapers are one size and fit both Xavier & Quinton very well.  I've had the diaper for awhile now and can say that even when Quinton was around 12 pounds it was plenty small for him!  Xavier is currently 25-30 and we still have one of the rise snaps down, so he has plenty of room to grow still!

The diapers feature a PUL outer, suede clothe inner and snap closure.  One of my favorite features of the diaper is the snaps.  They are multi-colored and match the diaper's pattern, so it looks super cute.  Also, they are color coded.  Both the tabs and the rise snaps are different colors so you know exactly where to snap.  Instead of counting snaps from the middle of the diaper you just make sure that you fasten it on the right color.  Pretty cool! Each of their pocket diapers comes with 2 inserts: one is hemp fleece and the doubler is made of bamboo.  The hemp liner is one long strip so that you can fold it however you need to.  Of course, with boys, we put most of the absorbency towards the front.

Something else that I love about this diaper is that there is belly elastic to help with boy (and tummy sleeper) leaks.  The elastic is the perfect tension so that it doesn't leave red marks but it does sit securely against the skin.  I also love how big the pocket is.  It is so easy to stuff the inserts in this diaper -- even if you have Dad hands!

Modia diapers have a very trim fit and look wonderful on both of our boys.  It fits so well under jeans; however, because it is so cute I can't bring myself to cover it up most of the time!

If you take a look at their site, you will see that Modia diapers are very fashionable.  It is obvious that the owners care about each and every design that they dream up.  Each diaper is so unique and is sure to be one of the cutest in your stash!

We really love this diaper and recommend that you try them out.  If you are looking to add some more to your stash, you can't go wrong if you choose Modia!

You can purchase your own Modia diaper by visiting their website.  Or you can try your luck because Modia is giving one lucky reader a diaper for free!

Wordless Wednesday

Quinton & Mommy Time

01/27/2012

Pinterest Project: Bird Feeders

Last week I found a tutorial for making bird feeders out of empty toilet paper rolls.  I remember having a blast making these in school.  I had just replaced our toilet paper, so I didn't have any spare rolls lying around.  I did, however, have some cardboard inserts from the shoes I had just received in the mail.  So here is how we did it.

Gather your supplies.  You will need toilet paper rolls (or other cardboard), peanut butter, bird seed, twine or other string to hang your feeder and a butter knife. I like cardboard and twine because they are both biodegradable.

Spread the peanut butter on your feeder. (Make sure you watch the little ones closely!)

Sprinkle your birdseed on the peanut butter.  This would really have worked better if I would have put the birdseed on a plate and then dipped the peanut butter side into it.  Xavier enjoyed making a mess though!

 

That's it!  Just hang it up for the birds to enjoy! I would suggest putting it somewhere that your kiddo can keep an eye on it.  Sadly, I haven't caught any birds using ours (we are in an apartment and don't have an accessible tree); however, Xavier loves to proudly look out the window at his creation.

Have a Pinterest account?  Follow me!

FoundIt! Review & Giveaway - What Have You Lost Lately?

 

Have you ever left something important behind?  Remember the gut-wrenching feeling you had as you realized your camera with your vacation pictures on it was gone? Or how about the thought of having to tell your small child that his favorite toy was left behind at the park?  With FoundIt! you can rest easy!

FoundIt! is a unique service that provides subscribers with the ability to label their items so they can be returned easily without ever giving away any of your personal information.  I have been reading warnings about not including phone, address or any personal information on your belongings because of child predators.  Of course, it is unlikely that somebody would use that information for malice, but I am a big believer in "better safe than sorry".

FoundIt! is an affordable subscription service. Currently, a 3 year contract is only $30!  Ten dollars a year is well worth it and will pay for itself when your items are recovered.  Here is how FoundIt! works:  You label your stuff with the stickers/tags provided.  If you leave something behind, the person who finds it can go online or call the number provided on the label.  Then they put in the code that is on your label and let you know how to get a hold of the lost item.  They can put notes about leaving it with the manager, etc. and you can pick it up at your convenience.  Pretty cool, right?  FoundIt! never gives out your information.  Instead, they forward the message to your email and via text message if you choose that method.

Don't mind my old, decrepit phone.

I decided to try it out.  I put a dummy message out to myself.  I had a text message informing me of my 'lost item' within a minute of sending the info to FoundIt!.  The text informed me to check my email, where there would be more information about what I left behind.  Even cooler yet: I received a reminder text about 24 hours later, just in case I forgot to retrieve my lost item!

The stickers come in many sizes to fit all of your valuables.  They even include some tags that would go nicely on your luggage.  Not sure what you would label in this way? 


Here are things I thought were worth labeling:

• My camera
• Cell Phone
• iPad
• Diaper Bag
• Purse
• Quinton & Xavier's Coats
• iPod
• Keys (I'm constantly trying to leave these at the gym...)
• Gym Shoes (for the same reason as above)
• Passport (since there is no phone number in your passport, you could use a FoundIt! label and quickly retrieve it even while on vacation)

I'm sure that I will come up with 100 more items once the kiddos are in school (think: backpack) and losing things.

Now I just need to find a way to attach one to my wandering toddler. (JUST JOKING!)

You can visit FoundIt! to sign up for your own subscription!  There are 3 different packages to choose from ranging from 1 to 3 years.  You can also try to win right here.  FoundIt! has been kind enough to offer one lucky reader the MacDaddy Package. 

This is a $29.99 value and includes:

 - 3 years membership to the FoundIt! Network
- Your own unique FoundIt! ID
- 62 FoundIt! Stickers & more each year
- 2 keychain tags
- 4 backpack/bag tags
- 2 round tags (pet tags!)
- FoundIt! ID card/luggage tag

Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Comments on this post, while appreciated, do not count as entries to the giveaway.

Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday

Mommy & Xavier Time

01/23/2012

To My Boys

I read this when I was pregnant with Quinton and it popped into my head again this week.    I thought I would share. If I didn't believe it before Quinton was born, I know now more than ever it is true!

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then he is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you’ve never shared me before. I hear you telling me in your own way, “Please love only me”. And I hear myself telling you in mine, “I can’t”, knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

 
You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again. But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I’m afraid to let you see me enjoying him—as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.  But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times – only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how he adores you — as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven’t taken something from you, I’ve given something to you. 

I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you. I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you—only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you’ll never share my love. There’s enough of that for both of you – you each have your own supply.

I love you—-both. And I thank you both for blessing my life. 

—Author Unknown

Resolutions Update

Yes, I know I JUST posted my resolutions, but I also wanted to keep track of my first week of progress.

1. Now that I'm not pregnant, I don't want to look pregnant. I went to the gym 4 different times for a total of 6 hours.  I also had a healthy breakfast most days last week.

2. I will pencil in time for myself. All 5 hours above were at the gym while the kiddos were in a room close by.  I also received my first issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine and had a 1/2 hour with my nose in it!

3. I will be a more adventurous cook. - Last week I tried 2 new recipes.  Pancakes from scratch and Shepard's Pie.  Both were GREAT!  I would recommend using cottage cheese instead of Greek Yogurt in the pancakes though. I also substituted Blue Agave for the honey.

4. I will to go to church more. - We made it to church just in time for a new series that is starting.  Both of the boys were able to enjoy time with other kids in the nursery too.

5. I will use my blog for some personal posts too. - Nothing new this week.