A Week into CD...

So we've been in cloth diapers for a week now, and I must say I'm pleasantly surprised.  First of all, dirty diapers that would have easily been blowouts in disposable diapers were completely contained.... which means no yellow stains on their clothes!  (One dirty diaper was in a brand spankin' new white sleeping gown, it's still pristine white)  Another wonderful outcome is that we've only had minor leaks... sometimes our fault (note: always tuck the prefold completely into the cover, otherwise their clothes will wick moisture from the prefold).  I'm also thrilled to say that it really isn't too much work as opposed to regular disposable diapers.

I keep the girls in prefolds during the day and change them before every feed, unless they're fussy in which case they get an extra diaper change.  With prefolds, diaper changes have just a few extra steps from a regular diaper change.
1) Take off the cover
2) Place the prefold and liner in the diaper pail
3) Wipe (I'm using cloth wipes, too... I just spray a solution onto a little wash cloth, wipe and then toss in with the dirty diapers)
4) Put on the new prefold and Snappi in place
5) Replace the cover
It takes a few days to get the hang of it, getting used to the Snappi and getting the general setup in place, but now it feels pretty comparable to a disposable diaper change.  Wet diapers go right into the diaper pail, no fuss, no muss.  Dirty diapers get rinsed out before going into the diaper pail, since the girls are breastfed their dirty diapers are pretty tame.  People who don't have kids will probably think, "Wow, she's way too involved with baby poop."  Truth is, getting pooped ON while changing a disposable was worse than rinsing out a soiled diaper.

Anyways... at night I tend to use the AIO's and pockets, just because it's one less step in the middle of the night.  When I do laundry I sort and stuff all the diapers, so they're sitting in the changing table just ready to be put on a baby.  I've figured out already which diapers I like more than others...

Grovia AIO: I initially thought I liked the side snaps... well, I can tell you they're a pain in the butt in the middle of the night.  Plus, because of the inserts and the way the extra fabric of the snap flap folds, you have to make sure the insert is closest to the baby, and the flap is on the outside of the insert.

Charlie Banana: I said I didn't like the fact that this doesn't have a rise adjustment, but I realized while using it that the elastic in the leg is adjustable, which helps with rise.  Another thing I like about Charlie Banana is that for the price, it's a pretty good deal.  This is a $20 diaper that comes with two inserts, the smaller being good for younger babies, the larger for larger babies and doubling up for naps or overnights.  Another nice thing, these diapers are widely available and sell in packs of 6.

BumGenius 4.0: I'm torn as to whether or not I really like Aplix (velcro).  On one hand, it's much easier to put on and get a nice snug fit without having to re-adjust snaps.  On the other hand, it's an extra step to make sure the velcro is folded in on the laundry tabs.  Also, since I've only been using them for a week, I have NO idea how they wear in the long run.  I think the price is also compelling me to want to love this diaper... I mean, it's $18 a piece!

TotsBots: One of my favorites... It's a great diapers, the ease of the velcro and not having to stuff inserts after doing laundry is wonderful.  In the middle of the night this is one of the first diapers I reach for.  One downside is this seems to be a UK company, so only certain types of TotsBots are available in the US.

Swaddlebees:  Just like the TotsBots, this is a really easy to use diaper.  The only thing I have to do after laundry is make sure the insert is positioned straight inside the pocket.  I LOVE the pattern on this diaper, too... it's so cute!  However, I'm trying not to fall in love with this one, because it's a bit pricier. **Update... this is not my favorite diaper.  It takes FOREVER to dry.  Based on the price, I'm not too upset about not loving this diaper.

Flips cover:  Officially my favorite cover.  I'm immediately buying more of these covers (luckily they're on sale for Cyber Monday, buy one get one free).  They contain messes SO well and fit the girls.  I also like that they're wonderful now while I'm folding the prefolds in place, but when the girls are a little bigger I can simply place the prefold inside the cover without having to wrap it around the girls.  Double duty!

Rumparooz: No really dirty diapers yet, so I still don't know how that double gusset will clean up... but this diaper is winning me over.  It's a great fit, comes with two different sized R6 Soaker inserts AND is locally made in Colorado.  I will gladly pay two extra dollars to a company that makes their products in the good ole US of A!

Kissaluvs: This diaper doesn't fit yet... so no review.  :(

Cloth Diapering... The Beginning

So I'm on day 3 of cloth diapering... I had intended to try and cloth diaper from the start, but we were given Preemie and Newborn size disposables, plus I was dealing with the blood clots.  I tried a few times to use the cloth diapers, but when they were still under 8 pounds they leaked right out of the leg holes.  With all that behind us, we've moved on and are successfully cloth diapering.

We're using Green Mountain Diaper prefolds and a variety of covers: Flips, Econobum and Thirsties.  I can tell you right now, I already like the Flip covers much better than the other two.  The Flip covers seem to be a bit sturdier, I like the double snaps along the waistline as opposed to a single snap on the Econobum and Thirsties.

From left to right, Econobum, Flips, Thirsties

Our first overnight with cloth diapers we actually reverted back to disposables, because I knew Avery would wake up every time she felt the least bit wet... she's very sensitive to a wet diaper.  (I'm really hoping this means she'll be quick with potty training)  So after doing some research I went to JoAnn's and bought some microfleece.  I got two yards worth of fabric, which ended up totaling about $15.  I just cut it into sections that will cover their diaper area and then place the cloth diaper on like normal. 

This is the Microfleece liner (the pattern was on sale) and it basically has two benefits: 1) it has a wicking property which helps to draw the moisture away from their skin, letting them FEEL dry, and 2) it will collect the dirty messes a little better which will make cleaning a bit easier.

Now on to the NEW cloth diapers!  I've managed to acquire quite a few different types of diapers, ranging from fitted, covers, AIO's and pockets.  I took pictures of each type both closed and opened, and I'll go through each diaper and what I think of it (before actually using them).  My plan is to use the whole variety and figure out which ones I like best, and then build up a stash based on that.

 Ok, the first set... from left to right, Swaddlebees, Rumparooz and Kissaluvs

 Swaddlebees: This is an All-in-One diaper, it has a soaker insert that is sewn into the diaper, supposedly the agitator in the washer will pull out the soaker and help get it clean.  This diaper has a more natural fiber that lays against the skin.  I also LOVE the pattern, but this is one of the more expensive diapers.

Rumparooz: This is a pocket diaper that comes with two microfiber inserts that snap in all different sorts of ways.  Options are great, but I can tell this is going to be time consuming to snap the soakers to accomodate my needs.  It also has a double leg gusset, which may be good, or may be bad.  I can see the good side; it will help keep messes contained, but I can aslo see this being a huge pain to clean.

Kissaluvs: This is an All-in-One diaper that also has an attached soaker.  Just like the Swaddlebees, the soaker should get pulled out and cleaned while in the washer.  The thing I already like about the Kissaluvs is the interior color, the beige fabric will hide stains much better than bright white.

Next set, from left to right: Charlie Banana, BumGenius 4.0, Grovia AIO

 Charlie Banana:  This is a pocket diaper that comes with two soakers and has a microfleece lining.  I didn't realize when I purchased this diaper that it doesn't have a rise adjustment, so we'll see how that works with the girls.

BumGenius 4.0: This is a pocket diaper that comes with two microfiber soakers.  The interesting thing about the inserts with this diaper is that they can be snapped together to localize absorption.  Just like the Rumparooz, this may be time consuming to do after every laundry load.  This is also one of the hook and loop (velcro) diapers.  There are tabs for the closures at the top to keep the velcro from catching while in the wash.  Most of my stash is snaps, but I wanted to make sure I try some hook and loops, too.  I'm hoping I like this diaper, because it's the least expensive of the bunch.

Grovia AIO:  This is an All-in-One diaper that has one attached soaker, and an additional soaker that can be snapped in.  I like the print on this diaper, I also like the snaps on the side.  Just like the Kissaluvs, I think the cream color will be less likely to show stains.

Next batch: from left to right... Happy Heiney, Grovia Cover, Tots Bots (Thanks Holly!!)

Happy Heiney: This is a pocket diaper that didn't come with any soakers.  To use this diaper I'll have to use one of the other soakers OR insert a prefold.

Grovia Cover: This is a diaper cover, I'd have to use a Grovia soaker, which has a cover that's ok to touch baby's skin (microfiber soakers are stuffed into pockets and don't lay against the skin, the Grovia soakers have a different top layer)

TotsBots: This is an All-In-One diaper, similar to the Kissaluvs and Swaddlebees, this diaper has an attached soaker that tucks under itself to increase absorbency. 

Last batch: Kissaluvs fitted, and two Gdiapers

 Kissaluvs fitted: This is a really soft fitted diaper, it's used just like a prefold... meaning that it still requires a waterproof cover.  It's a little bulky, so I'll probably wait until the girls are a little bigger to use this one.  Also, depending on how I like the Kissaluvs AIO's, I might skip the extra step of adding a cover that the fitted requires.

Gdiapers: While these are incredibly cute covers, I'm not sure how I'll like the use of these.  I have to wait a while, as these diapers don't have a rise setting.

So that's the diaper situation up to now.  All of my pockets/AIO's are in the wash as I type and I'm ready to start trying them out.  I've already done one load of prefolds in the laundry, and it really is quite simple.  I'm going to try and have Kevin take a video of the prefold diaper routine, just so I can show how easy it is.  A few extra steps from the disposables, but it's not too much of a hassle.

Orlando Trip in December

Saturday 15th:
Land in Orlando, Dinner with the Landers

Sunday 16th:
Dinner with the Harts @5pm

Monday 17th:
Hanging out with the Landers

Tuesday 18th:
Hanging out with the Harts

Wednesday 19th:
Hanging out with the Landers

Thursday 20th:
Dinner with friends @ Red Lobster, 5pm

Friday 21st:
Hanging out with the Landers

Saturday 22nd:
Time with the Harts @ 9am
Time with the Landers @ 12pm

Sunday 23rd:
Time with the Harts' @2pm

Monday 24th:
Evening at the Landers

Tuesday 25th:
Christmas Morning with the Landers
Christmas Dinner with the Harts @ 12pm

Wednesday 26th:

Thursday 27th:

Friday 28th:
Dinner with the Harts @ 5pm

Saturday 29th:
Morning with the Landers

Avery Smiling at 10 Weeks

Deep Vein Thrombosis

About 3 and a half weeks post partum I started to ache in my hip.  Not really that big of a deal, initially, considering I had just given birth to over 10 pounds of babies, I knew my body had just gone through quite a lot of change.  I had a similar pain while pregnant, which Kevin and I both knew was my hips beginning to stretch out for labor.  So, 3 weeks after having the girls, I assumed it was my hips going back in to place.  Plus, a quick google search let me know that post-partum hip pain is pretty common.

The problem with this pain is that it didn't get any better.  After a week of stretching and walking it slowly started to get worse.  On the day my parents flew in to town it continued to get worse, in fact, after a quick trip to the grocery store I started limping.  That evening, as I sat down to pump, I propped my feet up on the ottoman and noticed that my right leg, the leg with the pain, was noticeably swollen compared to my left leg.  This immediately set off an alarm in my head... this wasn't typical post-partum hip pain.  A quick google search later and Kevin and I were off to the ER.  Every symptom led us to believe that I had a blood clot in my leg.

I've had many trips to the ER in my lifetime, nothing ever life-threatening, but I've always hated how long the wait is.  Well, when you walk into an ER in the middle of the night and tell them you think you have a blood clot in your leg, you get special treatment.  I was called back almost immediately to get me into a room, and within an hour was sent to Radiology to have an ultrasound done on my leg.  Ultrasounds to look at a baby are fun and cute, ultrasounds to look for a blood clot are not fun and very painful.  The results were back, I had a 75% occluding blood clot in my right leg.  I was discharged and placed on a high dose of Lovenox (a blood thinning shot) twice a day and had to follow up with the Coumadin clinic.

A few days passed, the pain got worse.  I was doubled over if I had to walk anywhere.  I winced if I ever had to move my right leg, and trying to fall asleep was torture.  I never imagined that a blood clot could be so painful.  For a week I was taking blood thinning shots, pain medications AND nursing newborn twins (luckily none of the medications kept me from breastfeeding).  In the middle of the night about 4 days later I started to notice a slight pain in my chest, which is something they told me to be on the lookout for.  So, in the middle of the night we headed out for yet another trip to the ER.  This time I had to have a chest CT which required a contrast dye.  Because of the dye, I wasn't able to breastfeed for 24 hours (thank heavens I had a good supply of frozen expressed milk).

On top of a blood clot in my leg, I also had two blood clots in my right lung.  I was given an option to be admitted, but the only additional care they'd provide if I were inpatient would be to handle my pain.  I decided to stay home, and had my husband and parents asking me questions around the clock to make sure things weren't getting any worse.  I now had to worry about myself on top of caring for newborns. I had appointments with family practitioners to help deal with my pain, and I had to meet with the Coumadin clinic weekly to monitor my INR level.

A few things about DVT's and blood clotting... There aren't any medications they will give me that will break up the clots.  I was given Lovenox, which is a short acting injection to thin my blood and prevent any more clots from forming.  I had to take these shots twice a day until my INR from the Coumadin was in a therapeutic level.  Again, Coumadin is only a blood thinner, it doesn't actually break up the clot, just prevents any more clots from forming.  I have to wait for my body to produce enzymes that will break up the clots.  Every week I have to go in, have my finger pricked, and have a consultation about how to take Coumadin.  It's a trial and error game... take 5mg ever day and my INR is a little high, so the following week I'll take 5mg every day except Friday and Monday, and those days I'll take 1/2 tablet.  Then I go in the next week and see if that regiment keeps my INR where it should be.  If my INR level is too low I'm at risk for developing more clots.  If my INR level is too high I'm at risk for excessive bleeding.

The two weeks since I found out about the DVT's and were the toughest two weeks of my life. Between the pain, the exhaustion of newborns and trying to balance everything on my plate right now, I feel completely drained.  I can't thank my parents enough for being here during the whole ordeal.  If it weren't for them, we would have had to take two newborns to the ER on multiple occasions in the middle of the night.  They were also generous enough to feed the girls some of my frozen milk so I could get some extra hours of sleep.  They cooked dinner and did laundry and let me sit and rest while Kevin was at work.  I am forever grateful to them.

I'll have to be on Coumadin for 6 months and I'll have to take extra precautions for the rest of my life.  Any time I'm sitting for a long period of time (like a plane ride or a long car ride) I have to make sure I get up and move periodically.  Any time I have a pain in my leg there's a good chance it's a blood clot.  If I ever get pregnant again, I'll be on the Lovenox shots for the entire pregnancy and probably two months post partum.  Although it's been extremely tough, I'm thankful the clot happened AFTER the girls arrived, there's no telling what could have happened if I had a clot while still carrying them!