Freedom!

Pocahontas is just about potty trained! We started quite a while ago, and have been gradually decreasing the number of diapers we go through in a week. For the last four months we have used about 10-15 diapers per week ( allowing for nap time and nighttime diapers). I am pleased to announce, that, just in time for the cold weather and layers upon layers of clothing (which can make potty training downright nightmarish), we are through with diapers during the day! After a full month of dry nap times, I think it's official! The next frontier is night time- which means we will wake her each night to use the potty at midnight, just before we finally go to sleep. Good luck and Godspeed to all my fellow potty trainers out there!

Potty Training and the Cloth Diapered Baby

My 2 year (and 3 months) old is out of diapers during the day! Hooray for cloth! Miss Pocahontas only wears diapers for nighttime and nap-time (and long car rides...) In my experience, it seems like clothie kiddies potty train faster because they are used to the relationship between elimination and action. A cloth diaper gets wet, it feels wet and needs to be changed. Contrast this with the modern day disposable that can suck up a kiddie pool and still "feel dry!" Of course, there are times when that super-duper-fluid-sucking power comes in handy, (and yes, I've employed them on occasion for that reason), but in general, and in the long run, I am glad that cloth diapers have led to fewer months of diaper duty for me, and earlier potty-pride for them.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

We were recently featured for an article on green Philadelphia businesses in the LaSalle Collegian!

The very first cloth diaper 'client', all grown up!

Our dear Mowgli turns 6 years old today! We have officially become parents of a "big kid"

We love him for so many reasons, but here are just a few...

He is brilliant, kind, clever, funny, adventurous, inquisitive, compassionate, energetic, astute, bold and loyal.

Mowgli and a favorite bookWe put our first cloth diaper on him 6 years ago and also have him to thank for introducing us to the world of babies and the world of cloth. Both have been a wild and exciting ride!

Three cheers for our boy!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Happy New Year!

New Year's Resolutions- what a fun and daunting concept. I love the thought of a new, crisp year. It is full of potential and possibility. It can also be full of...duhn, duhn duhn!! Responsibility! Pledging, vowing, promising to be a better parent, a more faithful reader, a kinder friend, a disciplined exerciser can all fall flat very quickly when we realize that while the year has changed, we haven't.

I set a few goals months ago that I've been slowly working on- strive for wellness for my soul and body and the souls and bodies in my charge. This year, instead of a brand new initiative, I'm going to resolve to do the difficult work of sticking with what I've already begun...

What are your hopes, resolutions, goals for this new year?

Celebrating the Holidays...

Philly Diaper Service wishes you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season. We will be celebrating Christmas with friends and family from near and far. We look forward to a house full of laughter, sweet smells from the oven and the pitter-patter of our children running around.

There will be very minor changes to the delivery schedule. Stay tuned for more info.

Blessings on your homes!

We Did It!

Pocahontas loves Dora, especially the part of the show where Dora (and her little monkey, Boots) celebrate their success with a song, entitled " We Did It!" She loves to dance and sing and celebrate with them as they sing. Children love celebrating every little success, every small victory. It is a good a rare quality to find in grown-ups. We are more inclined to lament the difficult journey or the details that didn't go quite as planned, instead of standing up and shouting "We did it!"

Philly Diaper Service would like to follow the lead of the small children we serve everyday and shout "We did it!" Our diaper washing operation is now fully based in Germantown and we are thrilled to have this milestone under out belt!

What does this mean? It means that we have reduced our footprint even further by eliminating the drive to and from the washing facility. It also means that we may be able to offer some new options to our clients soon since we will have great control over the washing and handling process.

Thanks for your partnership and patience as we grow!

Busy Busy Busy

I have been somewhat absent from the blogging world... we've been busy. We are in the process of moving our washing  operations to our own facility right here in Germantown. This is super exciting, but it's also tough work! Stay tuned... we'll be announcing the move soon and will be celebrating with a big giveaway!

Be careful! The worrying mommy.

eating grassliving dangerously- assessing the challengeMy little sister-in-law (15 years old)was in Guatemala for a Church mission trip. Of course, as a mother, the first thought is of her safety. Is she going to be ok? Is it safe? I hope she doesn't do anything to get herself into trouble or danger etc.

Then I stop and think about all of the things I did and places that I went that must have sent my mom into mental and emotional fits.

Where is the balance? I find myself saying things like "be careful, not so high, not so fast, that's too dangerous," quite often. I think to myself that the 17 year old adventurer (not to mention disrespecter of authority) i once was must be rolling her eyes at me daily.

I have this image of an adolescent girl and her mom having an Down the slide by herself- Challenge met!argument, the mom saying "I just don't want anything to happen to you" and the girl responding with tears in her eyes "yes, but then nothing will ever happen to me...I need to live"

Ok- that's a little dramatic, but it describes the tension I feel inside daily. Do I let Mowgli go down his new slide? No, not on his bottom, or his tummy, but according to his master plan; on his ride-on fire engine! (There is no picture of this because, while it did happen, I walked away while Dad supervised...)

Do I let pocahontas roam free in the grass, risking that she just might eat some of it?

How do you moms out there manage keeping the worry monster at bay?

The runs... cloth diapering during challenging times

Well, the title of this post basically sums it up. My question: How do you stick with cloth diapering when it's difficult? Whether the baby has the runs or you feel like you're constantly on the run...what keeps you going? What keeps you motivated- what keeps you washing?

I must admit that there have been times when we turn to disposable to solve a problem like busyness or messy sick-baby diapers. My honest assessment is- sometimes they help (air travel with no washer option in sight), sometimes they don't. There are downsides to having to dispose of yucky diarrhea diapers rather than washing them- they are in the house for up to a week waiting for trash day (pee-eew!) or they are in the outside trash bin (attracting flies and who else knows what), is an effort to minimize the smell and insect/animal attraction, people often wrap them in layer upon layer of plastic (i.e. diaper genies bag or shopping bags) which leads to a nearly unfathomable decomposition rate in the landfills.

Changing a sick-belly diaper is awful no matter how you slice it- there's just now way around it. Sometimes, you're gonna get a little poop on your hands. The reality is, parenting is messy- not just figuratively, but literally.

"Mom, you're not listening...How raising a smart child can sometimes karate chop your pride!

I had had enough. Pocahontas, teething ferociously for the last 4 weeks (4 teeth in 4 weeks is torture for baby and mama!) was refusing to sleep well, cranky and super needy. My breasts we sore from her biting and incessant nursing and my mind was sore from lack of down-time. Enter Mowgli with his boisterous personality (to mention one of his wonderful characteristics that turned horribly annoying to me that day.) "Mom can I..." FILL IN THE BLANK- I can't even remember what he wanted to do or have at this point. "No, it's not time for that now. Now it's time to read or play quietly in your room- your sister is sleeping (finally, grrr) "But why can't I?" "Because we all need a rest now" "But what is I do it this way...." "No, Mowgli" "But how about like this?" "No, Mowgli" "Ok, so how about this idea?"

The boy was coming up with idea after idea, argument after argument- anything that might mean not doing what I had asked him to do. "Ok, that's it- no more arguing"

"Mom, I-"

"I said NO MORE ARGUING, no more NEGOTIATING!!"

So here's where my 5 year old turns into parenting counselor...

Being my mom would be so easy if you just followed my directionsKarate Chop to my Pride!"Mom, Mom, wait, you didn't even let me finish. I wasn't about to start 'gotiating again! You should have let me finish. If you would have let me finish I was gonna say "Mom, I won't argue any more. I'll have quiet time. But you didn't listen. You shouldn't interrupt. Do you want to know what you were supposed to do? (I don't remember whether he continued without waiting for my answer or if I simply nodded dejectedly)

"You were supposed to let me finish, and then, if what I said was 'gotiating, and since you just told me no more 'gotiating, then you could have just put me in time out or spanked my bottom- I rather time out" (Yes, we have chosen to spank bottoms occasionally in our house- I'm happy to talk with anyone about this decision.) "But since I wasn't going to 'gotiate, you wouldn't have to do those things, but if I did then, I would just be in trouble- that's it! You really should listen first though."

I think I must have staggered away in a daze...

Ok, so what response was I to give to THAT? "Uh, Sir yes sir, I'm sorry sir, It won't happen again SIR!"

I do try very diligently to raise a thinker, a problem solver and a good communicator. Sometimes, it comes back to bite me in the butt- like when my fiver year old is giving me parenting tips, and they are pretty much right on! Sheesh!

I need help weaning!

I have nursed two babies, so you'd think I know what I'm doing right now. But as it turns out- I'm clueless. With Mowgli, I had a raging infection and had to stop cold turkey at around 9 months, so there was no weaning at all. He was already taking the bottle well and the 2 day transition was easy as pie.

This time it's different. So, Pocahontas is 11 months old and starting to wean. She doesn't really take a bottle- she mostly plays with sippy cups (drinking bits here and there) and mainly loves water from a normal cup witha  straw. I am still her main source of fluids. But things are changing. Some days she nurses 4 times a day, sometimes twice a day, other days she wants to nurse 5-6 times a day. She's also getting tooth upon tooth right now and is biting, biting, BITING! Ouch! I am struggling with my milk supply being painfully in flux, soreness from her teeth, the heartache of knowing our special close time is almost over, and elation at knowing that a little more freedom is just around the corner. I would love some tips about how to do this well. Moms out there- help! What do you think? Send me your tips.

And the winner is....

First prize (1 Thirsties Diaper cover and a gift certificate for $10 PLUS a coupon for $20 off of $50 at the diapershop! This little guy will be featured on our website... look out for his picture!)

Second Prize (Gift certificate for $5 PLUS  a coupon for $20 off $50 at the diaper shop!)

Third Prize (Coupon for $15 dollars off $50 at the diaper shop!)

Fourth Prize (Coupon for $10 off $50 at the diaper shop!)

We would like to thank all contestants for their participation and offer a coupon for $5 off $50 at the diapershop as a way to show our appreciation! Contact us for the private coupon code.

Thanks again, and be on the look out for more giveaways in the future!

Cloth Diaper Photo Contest

The cloth diaper photo contest is now closed! NEARLY 900 votes came in. Thank you to all of you who participated. Check back for the announcement of the winner during the afternoon of April 15!

Thanks again!

You know it's time for self assessment when...

You make up a batch of whipped cream- no not for company or a fancy meal- just to eat it by yourself!

You throw a shoe at the dog because he smells.

You tell your son you're putting 10 minutes on the timer and secretly put 8 just to be spiteful.

Oh, oops, that was all me! Who is spiteful to a 5 year old you ask with doe-like innocence and wonder in your eyes. That would be me, I am sorry to say.

Mommies, when is the last time you checked in with yourself to see how you're doing? Or better yet, when is the last time you checked in with another girlfriend to see how each of you are doing? Time has got to be on the list of endangered resources these days, and I know it can be hard to find even a half hour to sit down and take stock. But if you can bear the thought- just hear me out for a sec- if you can find some time to be quietbear the thought of leaving the dishes in the sink and the laundry unfolded just a little while longer. If you can let the kids run in the yard *gasp* semi-unsupervised, or *bigger gasp* set them down in front of a show for a little bit, maybe you can find someone to talk to, to pray with to kvetch, moan, cry or laugh with for just a little bit. Or take the time to sit alone and be quiet.

Quiet reflection and talks with girlfriends-  I have been missing this big time lately. Big, big time. With all of the business there just hasn't been time for the "frivolous" self-care or self-assessment. But guess what, I'm a stingier mom, and a grumpier wife when I foolishly assume that it's impossible for me to make time for me. If I don't sit down to think, journal, pray, trouble soon follows. I am slowly learning that.

Just these past few days I've had occassion to talk with some on my closest friends about hte things weighing down my heart. How encouraging! It reminded me of just how much I need this.

So one of the wagons that I am jumping back on is this one: taking care of my heart. Are you taking care of yours? If yes, how? I am still trying to figure this all out!

How to recycle your way to happy summer days...

Well, we did it! We finally found the reason the internet exists: FREECYCLE! For those of you who don't already know, freecyle is message board based forum for people who are looking for something or have something to give. Everything must be absolutely free in order to be posted on the board. From curling irons to baby cloths to... Outdoor Play Equipment! Which is where our 'happy summer days' come in. I have been stalking the Philly Freecycle boards for months waiting for a swing set or monkey bars set to Hard at work: Can we build it? Yeah!be listed. They are rare and disappear in a flash when they finally are posted. As soon as I saw the posting, heart racing, palms sweaty (ok no really- but I was very excited) I emailed, I called and I promised a quick pick up ('quick pick-up' is worth gold in the freecycling world)!

Of course, I can't singled handedly disassemble a swing set and haul it back. Enter my trusty dad- who is handy, retired and owns a pick up truck (coincide, I think not, it was for such a time as this that he was made!) He set out at 8 am the next morning with his tool box and came back 6- yes 6; thanks dad!- with an unattractive pile of weathered wood in the bed of his truck. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder though- it must be, because that pile of weathered wood looked to me like an ab ripped hottie (or better yet, a thick slice of cheesecake...can you tell I'm dieting?!) I envisioned the days of having my children happily occupied on the swings and slide while I sip lemonade and tweet about the joys of The finished productmotherhood.

Mowgli and Pocahontas, each with their own swingSo after more hours of hard work, here are the results. I am very pleased, very thankful, and yes, I will be tweeting about this!

What the Diaper Family is reading...

I've gotten some requests from others moms as to what we read in our home. Mowgli is a very imaginative fellow, as you've no doubt learned by now, and it can be tricky to keep his interest sometimes. One day he's totally into reptiles; the next robots, you get the idea. So, books are a big, big part of life for us. We read the bible with him every night, he reads books on his own (though he can't actually read yet- but he enjoys the pictures and remembers the words on some pages almost perfectly) during quiet time, we read together at the library (we visit weekly on Fridays) and at home.

Another favorite of his (and mine) are audio books. This can be an excellent alternative to watching TV and also can help with the development of the imagination and increase the attention span. I will often sit down in my office to do some work, and set up a book on cd for Mowgli to listen and 'work' (this can be in the form of coloring, cutting paper, drawing, painting, working with clay- anything that requires sitting at a desk) along side me. The result? Mowgli is enjoying a great story and I ususally  buy myself at least 30 minutes to an hour of fairly peaceful time (that is if Pocahontas is asleep or otherwise entertained).

So- take a look at the ticker on the left side of the website for a lists of books that we are currently reading (I've included children's and adult books)

Enjoy this video of Mowgli reading to Pocahontas back when she was just a few months old.

Confessions of a 'naturalista'

Ok, so I'm all about cloth diapers (except when we travel- then we use g-diapers or disposables), I buy my beef from a local farm (we buy 1/4 to 1/2 cow at a time! But we still get cheese steaks from our local corner deli) We drink raw milk (sometimes- it's expensive) and I make my own baby food (except when someone gives me their leftover 50 jars of Gerber!) I use vinegar to clean my fridge and baking soda on  the drain (but Windex for the stainless appliances.) We drive a fuel efficient car (but I forget to turn the lights off all the time - much to Jake's dismay.)

You don't have to look very hard into my life to find inconsistencies all over the place. I'll admit it, I am neither perfect nor a purist about much. What works one day may not work another. Sometimes, what's on sale rules, other times, we sacrifice to make the wiser purchase. This 'flip-flopping' shows up in other areas of life too, not just what we buy or what we eat, but how we spend our time and how we run our home as well. In this highly politicized world where 'flip-floppers' are doomed to public ridicule, it feels Moms have to bend in all sorts of directions!good to confess! Granted, some of these flip flops are things I want to work on, places where I want to see growth and change in my life... others, are just a result of living a life so full that somethings spill over the edges and somethings can't always be the same.  Actually I prefer to think of myself as flexible (sounds more flattering doesn't it?) Life is dynamic and sometimes requires the flexibility of a Cirque du Soleil contortionist. We try to find what works, make the best choices that we can, and use what we have to the best of our ability. So, I'm ok with our inconsistencies... to me they just mean that 'my plan' doesn't rule my life.  Besides, the weather's getting really nice... definitely flip flop season!

Where do you flex, or flip flop?

The wagon...

So last week, inspired by a friend who had stopped doing cloth and wanted to get back into it,  I talked about falling off of the wagon. Well, today it is officially time to get back on the healthy eating wagon! This is particularly important now for a number of reasons... primary being, Pocahontas is beginning to wean! Ahhh! At 11 months this is shocking, exciting and sad all at the same time. It also means that I will no Mowgli and Pocahontas taking a ride in the wagonlonger have the breastfeeding calories being burned, and with weight being a constant issue of contention between me and my metabolism (and appetite!) I figure I'd better get serious about getting fit! So, it is with great mourning that I officially declare: "no more sugar!" I am addicted, and I only respond to cold turkey therapy...moderation will come later. Feel free to check in to see how I'm doing. Let us know which wagon you are bravely climbing back onto!

Update on Monday, April 5, 2010 by Phillydiaper Team

I had some success today and several failures.. sheesh! Who brought that birthday cake in the house? Where did the pringles come from?? I guess climbing up on this moving wagon is going to be tough... send your prayers!

Update on Monday, April 12, 2010 by Phillydiaper Team

Ok- the week was pretty good except for one big oops. I was having a stressful day and wanted soem diet coke (coke zero actually) and poured myself a nice big glass. This was oops number one because I've been trying to focus on good old H2O. The Coke was amazing- really hit the spot. Then I realized why, after I had finished the whole tall glass. It was original Coke. Yep- probably 400 calories of pure sugar. What a waste.

Other than that, things are going pretty good. I'm down 3 lbs, and I just signed up for a 2 week boot camp fitness class which I will start in June. How are you other fitness chasers doing? Anyone successfully hopped back on their wagon yet?

Update on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 by Phillydiaper Team

Ok... I feel good about starting this week right! Made it to the gym for the first time in a long time- mainly thanks to my friend who encouraged me to get my butt in gear. Thanks Christe!

About Us: The kind of kids you can't take to...

Fancy restaurants, the last minute workplace meeting scheduled on your "supposed" day off, uptight relatives' homes, etc.

Actually, I have brought my kids to 'those types of places' and endured the looks, sighs and 'polite' suggestions.

Loud, inquisitive, rambunctious, energetic, argumentative, strong-willed. Yes, I have those types of kids. And most days, I'm pretty glad about (albeit wiped out by) this reality.

3 feet in the air- as usualMy son, 5, (we'll call him 'Mowgli', since he has gorgeous shiny dark hair, and sometimes people think he was raised by wolves) struggles to not ask you about that weird mole on your face, jumps from the top step in our 10ft celing Colonial Revival, and uses words like Sarcophagus over dinner. Yes, I linked it; no need to be shown up by a 5 year old.  

 My daughter (we'll call her 'Pocahontas' since she's a free spirit), is decidedly a complete and utter people person; she wants no part of alone time or being put down for a nap (we do it anyway!). She never took a pacifier, blankie or any other type of outside comforter. She wants only to be with someone, in their arms, playing chase and jumping together. She will scream to high heaven if she isn't kindly invited to join you when you use the toilet.

So yes- I have those kind of kids, and probably, so do many of you. Good news! Those kind of kids, grow into those kind of adults- brilliant, daring, courageous, ambitious, caring and bold. But it takes lots of patience to see them as more than 'a handfull' sometimes. I have made it a goal to encourage moms and look for encouragement wherever it may be. So, in the grocery store, when a mom is struggling to parent well the child who is throwing a tantrum, I look at her. I'm sure you've been looked at before in the grocery store when your child is throwing a tantrum. You get the kind of looks meant to embarrass you. The kind of looks that make you want to give in to the tantrum just to make the scene stop. No, that's not the kind of look I give- I give the 'yep, mine did that yesterday' look; the 'hold firm mommy!' look.  I love when other moms look at me that way too!

What kind of kid do you have? How do  you struggle to parent well? How do other moms make it harder or easier for you? Let us know!