So it looks like we are switching up our cloth routine, again (I'm really happy about this). When we change our routine, it's because there is a flaw with the previous one. The biggest challenge (which isn't very big) of cloth diapering is definitely the cleaning process for my family. Solids, like we expected, changed the game of cloth for us. The buildup has been a lot more frequent, and I refuse to let my child wear these awful smelling diapers. When we were in Texas, I stripped Bug's diapers and *poof* the buildup and smells were gone. After a few uses, the smells came back, even with the frequent use of Bac out. Luckily, for us we had to time to figure out another method for stripping. Whenever we travel we use biodegradable disposables, so Ava wasn't in cloth for a little over two weeks. As soon as we got our cloth accessories, I knew exactly what I wanted to change in order to keep Ava bug's diapers fresh and good. Instead of soaking cloth diapers, wipes, etc. in rock in green, we opted to use the rock in green, funk rock.

All it took was 60 minutes of soaking in our tub (you can use the washer or sink) and our diapers smelled better than when we first put them in. The final step was adding a rinse cycle, than washing your diapers like you normally would. As soon as the diapers were done with the rinse cycle, I took one out, and I smelled NOTHING. I was so pleased that the funk rock worked so well. The true test was using them and then washing again... NOTHING! We did switch our wash routine around a little bit, so I'm curious if switching the amount of detergent, wash routine, and new stripping method is the new cause for our diapers being stench free. 

Wash Routine

Normal Cycle w/ two scoops of rock in green 

Warm Wash

Rinse

Normal Cycle w/ one scoop of rock in green

Hot Wash

Rinse

Extra rinse w/ no detergent at all

Stripping Routine

Toss all cloth accessories in tub,sink,or washer

Add hot or warm water to soak the cloth accessories in

add 4 tbsp of rock in funk to the hot water

allow cloth accessories to sit for 30-60 minutes (for best results soak overnight)

rinse diapers 

Wash like normal, with your desired cloth friendly detergent. 

Overall, I'm really pleased with our recent changes. Before we changed our stripping routine, our diapers spent hours soaking in the tub. The amount of time has downsized, and the smell is even better. Hopefully there aren't too many more surprises in our cloth journey. I'd like to get our routine perfected for future Howl babies! If any of my readers ever have any questions or concerns, I'm always willing to lend an ear, or answer in anyway I can. A lot of people contact me via facebook (which is great), but you can always comment on the posts I publish. 

Happy Monday all! 

♥- Leilani

Prepping Fluff & Pregnancy Stuff !

Today I got my rock in green motley crew detergent in the mail. I was nervous because I keep forgetting I have to use an HE efficient detergent with my HE washer and dryer. Sure enough on the front of the bag there's the little "he" symbol. I am so excited about this detergent because I can use it on Ava's baby clothes as well as her cloth diapers. It is dye free, It contains no fillers, no enzymes, or optical brighteners. All of the information is actually listed right on the front of the bag, which is helpful when you are looking for a certain type of detergent !

I plan to update everyone on my cloth diapering routine once I start exclusively cloth diapering Ava when we get home from the hospital. I know it was really tough for me to find other cloth diapering moms with HE top loaders, So I'm hoping I can be a helping hand for moms that have been trying to find a routine that will accommodate their cloth diaper needs.

Tonight I am going to prep my GMD orange edge prefolds, 

my thirsty covers, and a variety of different pocket diapers. 

On a pregnancy update, Ava's monitoring continues to stay great and she continues to be healthy. I'll be 35 weeks on Thursday and she is still head down, which makes me relieved. There is always time for her to go into a breech position, and I would LOVE it if nothing else posed as a threat to the "ideal" labor I am dreaming of LOL. 

Today I packed Ava's hospital bag and my hospital bag, so we are good to go there. Oh ! I also have an induction date ! May 16th. I will be 39 weeks. They still want her to come out a little early just to be overly cautious of my smaller growing sprout.

My frustrations Lately

I've been having some doubts about the middle name Madeline. I think I'm going to go with Leilani. Justin and I KEEP discussing this ! We wanted to give her a strong name. I think Ava Leilani is strong. We keep going back and forth, So I'm thinking only time will tell so it's a good thing we've got 4 weeks to decide !

Driving an hour to and from Savannah twice a week for Ava monitoring, but still getting the option to deliver at the Army hospital ! Today I had to wait 2 hours for my appointment due to them being short staffed. Normally, I wouldn't complain, but who wants to drive an hour and then wait 2 hours and then drive an hour to get back home?  I can understand that this high risk clinic has more efficient equipment for monitoring, but I'm going to contact Tricare and see if there is any type of reimbursement they are able to give for all the mileage and gas ( a friend of mine mentioned this to me today, It couldn't hurt to try)

I've noticed my tolerance level and annoyance level are at an all time high. It doesn't take much for someone to irritate me or for me to get upset. That's actually out of character for me. Hopefully once Ava gets here and pregnancy is a mere memory on the journey to meeting my miracle baby, my emotions won't be raging as much as they are now.