The ever-so-important bedtime routine has been established for a good, long while now, and I'm finding that Griffin is beginning to anticipate what comes next in the routine! For posterity's sake, I thought I would document our nightly routine.
We begin with a walk around the neighborhood at 5:30, taking in the sights and sounds of the "wild" outdoors. Actually, things are quite peaceful at this hour of the day. It seems most families are inside having dinner around this time, so we have the sun and sky to ourselves. Griffin is becoming more and more interested in checking out his surroundings. I get the feeling he sees quite a few things for the very first time each time we go out. Sometimes, he chews on a teething ring or toy, but he's mainly in the business of observing on these walks.
After our walk, it's bath time. This boy loves his baths. I lay him on a towel on the bathroom floor and let him play and roll around naked until the water is ready. Lately, he's been catching on to the fun of splashing, which has been so fun! I'm sure I'll spend the next 5 years trying to get him to STOP splashing, but I might as well enjoy the fun now while he can't cause too much damage! His favorite things to do in the tub are chewing/sucking on the washcloth, reaching for and chewing on the cup, playing with his rubber ducky, and splashing around. We usually sing "Old McDonald" while he's in the bath, and he cracks up at the pig and dog noises.
Immediately following the bath is the baby massage. When I put the lotion or oil in my hands and rub my hands together, Griffin squeals in anticipation! He absolutely loves his massage. When we get to each set of toes, we do "This Little Piggy." After the front, I flip Griffin and let him spend some time on his tummy while I rub his back and play peek-a-boo with him. He thinks naked tummy time is the best thing in the world. This is the time of day when he's usually the most vocal, squealing, screaming, laughing, etc. He's discovered how to initiate the game of peek-a-boo. What he'll do is turn his head away from me. Then, slowly, he'll turn his head towards me until I come into his line of vision. Of course, I make a great big deal out of this, and he squeals with delight as he buries his face in the towel. Then, he'll lift his head and look away from me and start it all over again. How smart is he?! Very advanced, I think :)
After the massage, I dress Griffin and settle down in the rocking chair to read a couple books. First, we read some stories out of his children's Bible. Then, we'll pick another book to peruse through like Goodnight Moon or Harold and the Purple Crayon. Sometimes, we only make it through one story before it becomes clear that Griffin is getting sleepy. Then, it's time to swaddle and nurse my sweet boy. Since we've been putting him in bed by 7:00pm, he hasn't drifted off to sleep during nursing like he used to. Now, we give him his nuk, rock him a bit and then lay him down.
As much as I'm truly not a structured, habitual kind of person, I'm learning to find the beauty and stability in routine. There is something so familiar and dependable about routine that makes everything easier and more pleasurable to do. I remember on my first day of college, one of my professors was discussing the burden and expense of energy of the NEW. He said that it would be very overwhelming and difficult for the first couple weeks, but that after that, routine and habituation would begin to form, making college life much more do-able and even enjoyable. I think this holds true for the new routines in my life of being a mom. At first, every little task requires so much effort, thought, planning, strain. Just giving Griffin a bath used to be a pretty overwhelming thing. Now, multiply that by the hundreds and hundreds of new little tasks you have when you are caring for your first baby. However, there does come a point several months down the road where you are able to create some structure in napping, feedings, bedtimes, and daily routines. This structure is far from onerous. It is LIBERATING! It liberates you from the burden and stress of the ever changing NEW. There is something so beautiful about not questioning when you should wake up, feed the baby, put the baby down for a nap/bed and not wondering what to do next with your child. Of course, a growing little one demands that new routines must be formed to be age appropriate, but at least I can always look forward to the eventual stability of the new routine.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Griffin Meets Miles
Certain songs/artist seem to cause Griffin to get all emotional. As with many things in raising a child, we're not sure why this is...but it's true nevertheless. On Griffin's bad list are:
1. "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
2. "You Are So Beautiful"
3. "You Are My Sunshine"
4. "Heartbroken" and "Drifted Apart" by Meaghan Smith (great songs & a great singer, if you've never heard of her - I highly recommend her)
Finally, our most recent (and possibly most tragic) addition to the bad list:
5. Miles Davis
1. "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
2. "You Are So Beautiful"
3. "You Are My Sunshine"
4. "Heartbroken" and "Drifted Apart" by Meaghan Smith (great songs & a great singer, if you've never heard of her - I highly recommend her)
Finally, our most recent (and possibly most tragic) addition to the bad list:
5. Miles Davis
Talkin' with Teddy
Griffin gets very animated and talkative around this particular teddy bear. We're not quite sure why, but it's cute!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Favorite Time of Day
Griffin gets absolutely giddy during his nighttime bath and baby massage time. Here is a little peek:
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Firsts and Friends
Today was a great day of firsts and friends. For the first time in 4 months, Shari McWilliams and her son Owen, Anna Paulling and her son Sullivan, and Griffin and I were able to get together when all our sons were AWAKE! Yay! It was a total blast. Of course, at this point, the play date consisted of us trying to keep our kids from injuring one another. (They don't quite have the "gentle" thing down yet!) It is fun to compare the first shot of these three together about 4 months ago with the picture of them from today:
It appears that Griffin felt some peer pressure from his buds to catch up to them growth-wise in the past 4 months. As you can see, he is just as big as his 8 month bffs! As for the "firsts" portion of this post's title, Griffin may have been feeling that peer pressure while they were over, because he rolled over for the first time this afternoon! I was changing his diaper (hence his bare bottom), and he started trying to roll over. So, I grabbed the camera and was actually able to capture this milestone on video! Shari and Anna, I'm so glad you were both there to share in the excitement! For some reason, I can't figure out how to upload a video on this tonight...So, look forward to Griffin's first rolling over video soon!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Playtime
Griffin has been quite content for the past month or so to play on his own for 30 minutes or so at a time. Since he's now able to hold his head up and stand up when held, I started looking around for a good deal on an exersaucer. I found one, and he loves to play in it for short stretches. He's still a bit wobbly and uncoordinated to get the most out of it, but I can tell it will be a favorite in no time.
He has also started loving the flying game, as you can see...
By far, though, Griffin's favorite playtime activity (or should I say all-the-time activity) is looking at and chewing on his hands. He absolutely loves bringing them together, watching them move, reaching for people and objects, grabbing things, and pulling EVERYTHING into his mouth. Consequently, there has been a LOT more drool sloshing around in the Thompson household. This mixed with Griffin's tendency to overeat and spit the excess up later has made for quite a bit more laundry for mama! I find this quite frustrating at times, and Griffin simply thinks my exclamations are hilarious!
Diaper Ratings
So, quite a few weeks of cloth diapering have gone by, and I'm ready to post my preliminary reviews on the performance of each of the different diapering systems I have tried. Hopefully, this will be helpful to those of you who are considering cloth diapering or have already started and are wondering how other systems work. I will go through each of the systems we are using and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Fuzzibunz - We have 6 Fuzzibunz one-size diapers, and they are a pocket diaper system. This means that there is a cloth diaper/cover combo that you insert a microfiber insert into (between the built-in fleece interior and the waterproof exterior.
Pros:
The pocket system allows for a faster drying time than all-in-ones (where the insert is stitched into the diaper).
Highly absorbent
VERY adjustable in both the thigh and waist by tightening and loosening the elastic settings
As easy as disposable diapers to put on/take off...which makes these our "out and about" diapers.
The snaps are very secure and make them easy to wash and dry
Both the liners and the diapers can go in the dryer, which makes these an easy wash/dry diaper
These keep moisture off the skin
Cons:
We have had a few leaks with poo diapers, but I think this was mainly due to having the diaper elastic and snaps done too loosely
There is quite a learning curve with these diapers...figuring out which elastic and snap settings work for your baby...and you need to readjust them as the baby grows. This means either leaks or red marks around the waist and thighs if too tight or too loose.
There is a big jump between snap settings. The snaps seem to make the diaper either too tight or too loose because there is about a 1" difference on each side between each snap...making each setting 2" different.
I've noticed some red marks on Griffin's back and thighs with these
They are one-use only (no matter if it's pee or poo)
Bum Genius - We have 3 Bum Genius one-size pocket diapers and 1 Bum Genius medium all-in-one diaper.
Pros:
The velcro makes this diaper super adjustable and super easy to put on and take off
This is by far the best overnight diaper. We put it on a tad looser than usual (b/c Griffin doesn't poo during the night) and use a Fuzzibunz newborn microterry insert in addition to the regular Bum Genius insert for extra absorbency.
It keeps moisture off the skin
The snap system on the front is easier to adjust than the Fuzzibunz diapers, making them easier to figure out than the Fuzzibunz
No leaks yet!
Cons:
The velcro is already fraying a bit, and I have never put them in the dryer. I can see how these wear more than the snap diapers.
They are supposed to only be line dried
I've noticed some red marks on Griffin's back and legs with these
They are one-use only (no matter if it's pee or poo)
Flip - We have 3 one-size snap Flip diaper covers and 6 Flip inserts.
Pros:
The snap system is super durable and easy
The leg elastic and fabric is really soft and doesn't leave red marks
You can reuse the cover for pee diapers and even some poo diapers (depending on if the poo gets on the liner or not)
The inserts are super duper absorbent and keep moisture off the skin
They are the least maintenance and easiest of all the systems we have
The inserts are one-size, and you fold them over for small and medium and leave them full-length for large
The snap system is very durable
No leaks yet!
Cons:
Sometimes, the insert gets bunched up a bit in the middle, but this has not yet affected the performance of the diaper or liner
The cover is supposed to be line-dried
Thirsties - We have 2 Thirsties snap diaper covers.
Pros:
You can use these with prefold diapers and other diaper liners wrapped in flannel
They can be dried in the dryer
The snap system is very durable
No leaks yet!
Cons:
The snap system seems to be either too tight or too large (being 2" total difference between each snap setting). Right now, I snap one side in all the way and the other side one setting looser, making the diaper a bit lopsided.
These are a bit more inconvenient for those who don't want to mess with the inserts wrapped in flannel or the prefold diapers (These take a minute or so more to put on, but they aren't difficult at all to use. In fact, I've had less leaks using the prefold diapers than I have with the inserts!)
Bummis - We have 2 Bummis Super Brite diaper covers.
Pros:
The velcro system is super adjustable and easy
You can use these with prefold diapers and other diaper liners wrapped in flannel
No leaks yet!
Cons:
A bit big and bulky compared to the other systems
These are a bit more inconvenient for those who don't want to mess with the inserts wrapped in flannel or the prefold diapers (These take a minute or so more to put on, but they aren't difficult at all to use. In fact, I've had less leaks using the prefold diapers than I have with the inserts!)
Bummis Prefold Diapers - We have 6 Bummis unbleached prefold diapers.
Pros:
Really, really absorbant and soft
Great at containing explosive poos if they are put on right
Cons:
More bulky than other insert or pocket diapers
There is a learning curve involved in learning how to put on a prefold diaper correctly. Using a Snappi is much easier than the old fashioned pin method.
Doesn't wick the moisture away from the skin as well as the other systems
As you can see, there are pros and cons to each system. If I had to select my favorites, I would do so in the following categories:
Low-maintenance: Flip diapers (because of the ability to reuse the cover over and over and because of the snap system, great fit, and quick drying time of both the covers and inserts)
Out-and-about: Fuzzibunz and Bum Genius
Overnight: Bum Genius (with extra insert)
Explosive Poo Containment: Bum Genius and Bummis Prefold with Thirsties or Bummis diaper cover
No leak: Bum Genius, Flip, Thirsties, or Bummis (Thirsties and Bummis have GREAT leg gussets, which really help in containing)
If I had to choose just one system to use, I would say the Flip system at this point. This has to do with the reusability of the cover, the ease of use and washing, and the affordability. If we were made of money, I imagine I might choose the Bum Genius one-size pocket diapers because I could afford plenty of them and wouldn't mind buying more when the velcro wore out.
Fuzzibunz - We have 6 Fuzzibunz one-size diapers, and they are a pocket diaper system. This means that there is a cloth diaper/cover combo that you insert a microfiber insert into (between the built-in fleece interior and the waterproof exterior.
Pros:
The pocket system allows for a faster drying time than all-in-ones (where the insert is stitched into the diaper).
Highly absorbent
VERY adjustable in both the thigh and waist by tightening and loosening the elastic settings
As easy as disposable diapers to put on/take off...which makes these our "out and about" diapers.
The snaps are very secure and make them easy to wash and dry
Both the liners and the diapers can go in the dryer, which makes these an easy wash/dry diaper
These keep moisture off the skin
Cons:
We have had a few leaks with poo diapers, but I think this was mainly due to having the diaper elastic and snaps done too loosely
There is quite a learning curve with these diapers...figuring out which elastic and snap settings work for your baby...and you need to readjust them as the baby grows. This means either leaks or red marks around the waist and thighs if too tight or too loose.
There is a big jump between snap settings. The snaps seem to make the diaper either too tight or too loose because there is about a 1" difference on each side between each snap...making each setting 2" different.
I've noticed some red marks on Griffin's back and thighs with these
They are one-use only (no matter if it's pee or poo)
Bum Genius - We have 3 Bum Genius one-size pocket diapers and 1 Bum Genius medium all-in-one diaper.
Pros:
The velcro makes this diaper super adjustable and super easy to put on and take off
This is by far the best overnight diaper. We put it on a tad looser than usual (b/c Griffin doesn't poo during the night) and use a Fuzzibunz newborn microterry insert in addition to the regular Bum Genius insert for extra absorbency.
It keeps moisture off the skin
The snap system on the front is easier to adjust than the Fuzzibunz diapers, making them easier to figure out than the Fuzzibunz
No leaks yet!
Cons:
The velcro is already fraying a bit, and I have never put them in the dryer. I can see how these wear more than the snap diapers.
They are supposed to only be line dried
I've noticed some red marks on Griffin's back and legs with these
They are one-use only (no matter if it's pee or poo)
Flip - We have 3 one-size snap Flip diaper covers and 6 Flip inserts.
Pros:
The snap system is super durable and easy
The leg elastic and fabric is really soft and doesn't leave red marks
You can reuse the cover for pee diapers and even some poo diapers (depending on if the poo gets on the liner or not)
The inserts are super duper absorbent and keep moisture off the skin
They are the least maintenance and easiest of all the systems we have
The inserts are one-size, and you fold them over for small and medium and leave them full-length for large
The snap system is very durable
No leaks yet!
Cons:
Sometimes, the insert gets bunched up a bit in the middle, but this has not yet affected the performance of the diaper or liner
The cover is supposed to be line-dried
Thirsties - We have 2 Thirsties snap diaper covers.
Pros:
You can use these with prefold diapers and other diaper liners wrapped in flannel
They can be dried in the dryer
The snap system is very durable
No leaks yet!
Cons:
The snap system seems to be either too tight or too large (being 2" total difference between each snap setting). Right now, I snap one side in all the way and the other side one setting looser, making the diaper a bit lopsided.
These are a bit more inconvenient for those who don't want to mess with the inserts wrapped in flannel or the prefold diapers (These take a minute or so more to put on, but they aren't difficult at all to use. In fact, I've had less leaks using the prefold diapers than I have with the inserts!)
Bummis - We have 2 Bummis Super Brite diaper covers.
Pros:
The velcro system is super adjustable and easy
You can use these with prefold diapers and other diaper liners wrapped in flannel
No leaks yet!
Cons:
A bit big and bulky compared to the other systems
These are a bit more inconvenient for those who don't want to mess with the inserts wrapped in flannel or the prefold diapers (These take a minute or so more to put on, but they aren't difficult at all to use. In fact, I've had less leaks using the prefold diapers than I have with the inserts!)
Bummis Prefold Diapers - We have 6 Bummis unbleached prefold diapers.
Pros:
Really, really absorbant and soft
Great at containing explosive poos if they are put on right
Cons:
More bulky than other insert or pocket diapers
There is a learning curve involved in learning how to put on a prefold diaper correctly. Using a Snappi is much easier than the old fashioned pin method.
Doesn't wick the moisture away from the skin as well as the other systems
As you can see, there are pros and cons to each system. If I had to select my favorites, I would do so in the following categories:
Low-maintenance: Flip diapers (because of the ability to reuse the cover over and over and because of the snap system, great fit, and quick drying time of both the covers and inserts)
Out-and-about: Fuzzibunz and Bum Genius
Overnight: Bum Genius (with extra insert)
Explosive Poo Containment: Bum Genius and Bummis Prefold with Thirsties or Bummis diaper cover
No leak: Bum Genius, Flip, Thirsties, or Bummis (Thirsties and Bummis have GREAT leg gussets, which really help in containing)
If I had to choose just one system to use, I would say the Flip system at this point. This has to do with the reusability of the cover, the ease of use and washing, and the affordability. If we were made of money, I imagine I might choose the Bum Genius one-size pocket diapers because I could afford plenty of them and wouldn't mind buying more when the velcro wore out.
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