It's a pocket, it's a fitted, it's both! Oh my!

When I started using cloth diapers, I avoided WAHM's.  I didn't really know what to think about them. It took me a little while, but I got over that and I am so glad.  Over the last few years, I have come across some really fantastic WAHM made diapers.  I have also discovered a few of them that are based right here in Minnesota.  Even more exciting to me because I love supporting small businesses where I live.

A few months ago, I approached Anne from Greenchild Creations about doing a review and she told me that I could be added to a list.  Then, not long after that, I won one of her fitted diapers, so I didn't expect to hear back from her again.  Imagine my surprise when she emailed me awhile later and asked if I would still be interested in doing a review.  Now, I get to share my review of my Greenchild Creations fitted diaper, and tell you all about another fantastic Minnesota company!  

Anne loves to create things for others to enjoy and so Greenchild Creations was started.  She was recently joined by her mom, Mary, where she will add her creative talents to the shop.  At Greenchild Creations, you will find more than just cloth diapers.  You can also find soaps and lotions made with natural vegan ingredients.  The diapers are made of natural materials like cotton and bamboo.  Even the gift boxes are pine wrapped in natural grapevine.  

The Diaper

The outer layer is made of printed flannel, available in a wide variety of prints {good luck choosing a favorite, they are all so cute}.  We received the pirate print to review {free of charge} and I was so excited when I saw it!  I don't know what it is about having a boy that made me suddenly love pirate things, but I do!  The inner layer and the inner pocket layer are white flannel.  Now, after many uses, our diaper has faded, but, you will notice in her Etsy shop that flannel tends to fade and pill over time so you know that ahead of time.  No surprises there.  

The back and between the legs of this diaper both have elastic to allow it to stretch, yet still stay snug around baby.  This truly is a one size diaper because the rise can be any height you want it to be.  Simply fold the front flap up as far as you need to get a snug fit on baby.  There are no snaps or velcro on the diaper, instead, using a pin or two which come free with the diaper if you want.  I imagine that by the time you get to this part, you are wondering if you can use a Snappi or Boingo fastener with it.  The answer is yes.  I was able to use both a Snappi and a Boingo fastener with it.  Our preferred method was the Boingo fastener, it's the fastest and simplest method for me to get mister squirmy in the diaper.  He tries to crawl away and flips over as I get the diaper on him, so the pins were a bit tricky for me to use, even the Snappi proved a challenge at times, but all 3 options worked for us.  I have actually used the diaper without any fastener on it.  I just used the cover to hold it in place.  Probably not the best idea, but if I could put the cover on quickly it worked alright.  If none of those sound like the right option for you, you can get snaps or aplix on the diaper, just be sure to purchase the appropriate choice.  

The neat thing about this diaper that makes it stand out from other fitted diapers is that it is also a pocket.  You can really customize the diaper to fit your baby's absorbency needs.  The pocket is very generously sized to allow for whatever absorbency you need.  The pocket has an opening at one end, as well as openings on both sides of the back of the diaper near the wings.  Be sure to keep any microfiber away from baby's skin.  Inserts are not included, but can be purchased through Greenchild Creations as well.  We do elimination communication with Charlie, so during the day, if I am unsure if he is going to poop and want to make sure he has a diaper on, we use this without any inserts.  If we use it at night, we have been using it with a small pre fold, to give you an idea of the size of the pocket on the diaper.  

The diaper can fit a wide variety of kids, from newborn on up.  Seriously, I think an adult could wear this, you could make it that big.  The leg holes and waist definitely get small enough for a newborn, but it would be wide between the legs, however, it would work well.  

If you are looking for a quality fitted nighttime diaper, Greenchild Creations is very affordable at only $12.00 a diaper.

Visit Greenchild Creations Etsy shop and let me know what your favorite diaper or other product is.  Go ahead and "like" her on Facebook, you just never know when she is going to announce a giveaway or some other fun things like that.  

Could they be any cuter? Wordless Wednesday

Maggie loves to have me take pictures.  She poses about a hundred times a day saying, Cheese me mommy, take my picture.  It's so cute!  And this picture was just too cute to not share.

Grandpa never says no! {Tuesday's Toddler Tales Linky}

You know those shirts that say, Who needs Santa when I have Grandma?  I think Maggie really needs a Grandpa one.  He cannot say no to her.  Well, he probably could, but he never does.  It's so cute to see them.  She knows he will say yes to anything so she always asks him for treats because I might say no!  Maggie talks about Grandpa Ron all the time.  She sees a vehicle that reminds her of his truck so she asks if Grandpa is coming over, or if we are going to Grandpa's house.   She has been a bit of a Grandpa's girl from the start.

<a href="http://www.housesbyshannon.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><image src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8361732047_c37115e657_m.jpg"WIDTH="175" HEIGHT="175" alt="TuesdaysToddlerTales" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Each week, we are linking up for Tuesday's Toddler Tales.  This week we are talking about kids and grandparents.  Next weeks topic is Technology and Toddlers.  

What kind of relationship do your little ones have with their grandparents?

#Win dad an iPod Nano {Giveaway}

So what’s on your Dad’s wish list for Father’s Day???

Make sure you get EXACTLY what he wants by letting him create a personal registry on MyPerfectGift.com! MyPerfectGift.com lets you buy the gift your loved ones really want!
Think Dad would like a new iPod Nano?? One lucky reader will receive an iPod Nano (MSRP $149)!!

TO BE ELIGIBLE: Create a registry with at least 3 items on MyPerfectGift.com (or add an item to an existing registry if you already have an account). Use “MOMMY” in the “Referred By” field. All other entries in the Rafflecopter are optional.
Sponsored by MyPerfectGift.com! Hosted by Bay Area Mommy, Katie’s Krazy Savings, & Filipino Cooking Recipes.

Giveaway ends June 14 at 11:59pm EST. Open to US residents only. Must be at least 18 years old to be eligible. To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. This blog is not responsible for prize fulfillment. MyPerfectGift.com will send the prize directly to the winner chosen randomly. See full terms and conditions in the Rafflecopter form. For questions regarding this giveaway, contact Bay Area Mommy.

Rockin' the Boba Diaper Dude Baby Carrier {+Giveaway}

If It weren't for babywearing, I have no idea how I would make it with two little ones!  With my daughter, I didn't wear her too much, but with Charlie, that's way different!  I would never get anything done without wearing him.  It's his favorite place to sleep and that works well for us since we are out and about quite often.  Since he was born, I got a lot of grief, from family especially.  They all are of the mindset that they should always sleep in their crib, not in my lap or bed, or in a carrier.   Yeah.....that doesn't quite work for us.


If you are new to baby wearing - here are some of the amazing benefits for you and baby.  

• Better communication - this is especially awesome if you do EC, nobody wants to be peed on!
• Creates confident parents
• Is convenient - so much less to lug around than a carseat!  
• You can safely doing things like hike, walk, etc. without worry about dropping baby
• It's healthy for you - think better workouts {including a babywearing workout}
• Discreet breastfeeding
• Allows you to spend time with your older children easier
• Keeps baby away from stray hands and germs
• Less crying because their needs are met quickly
• Healthier babies!  
• Better view of the world!
• Babies become independent quicker
• Sleep better
• Learn more
• Babies are happier!

The Boba diaper dude I reviewed is amazing!  To start with, let's all go gaga over the color!  I love the camo.  We love to hunt, so the camo is our style.  John is never too excited about anything that we get to review, but he was pretty excited about this one.

First and foremost, a carrier has to be comfortable or it just isn't worth using.  I'm happy to say, Boba got it right!  Even my sister and cousin agree and they both have neck and back troubles.  Here's a story:


But, I think I made a babywearing fan the other day.  Our carriers have gotten a lot of work lately.  We had the garage sale at my sisters....then moved it to our house.  Softball has started, usually at bedtime or close to it.  Then, we went to track and field day just the other day with my sister to watch my niece and nephew.  Charlie man fell asleep right before lunch time and was sleeping in my arms after nursing.  I had to take Maggie to the bathroom, so I handed him to my sister to hold.  She was loving up on the snuggles!  He stayed asleep but it was time to go watch the kids again.  I told her we could just put the Boba right around them as she was holding him, so that's what we did.  Now, a few years ago, my sister was in a car accident and can't handle things on her neck, or usually her back, so we weren't sure how it would go.  Good news!  It didn't bother her at all.  When I first put it on her, she said, wow, this is really comfortable and way easier than carrying him.  She said, "I could never understand how or why you put him in the carriers so often.  Now I do."  See, I made a believer out of her.

Short stuff sister with back and neck pain comfortably wearing the Boba.  You can see how the carrier hugs baby into you.

The Boba Diaper Dude fits comfortably for people 5'0" up to 6'3" but I can say that it does fit comfortably for my sister who is 4'11.  The range of the waistband is 25" - 58" so it will fit a wide range of wearers.  The shoulder straps feel like they sit farther out on my shoulders.  It makes me think that it's the perfect carrier for broad shouldered people {daddy perhaps}.  Read on for the review and check out my video for more info on the features as well as how to put your child in the front and back carry.




Onto the rest of the awesome features.  Everything about the Boba Diaper Dude is easily adjustable which I find especially important when you are putting your precious cargo in it and need to be comfortable.  While wearing the carrier, you can quickly and easily adjust the chest strap and shoulder straps.  I love the adjustability of the shoulder straps because there are times when Charlie needs to nurse and I am doing something.  The fact that I can just loosen the straps a little and he can nurse has been a lifesaver more than once!  The carrier is designed to hug your little one, and it looks like it hugs them, right into your body.  It's so sweet!  During our garage sale, I can't tell you how many comments I got on how comfy he looked in it.  The "sliders" {my term} that the straps adjust on allow for the easy adjusting, but also keep it from slipping.  Once you have adjusted the straps to where you want them, they can be rolled up and secured using the elastic bands on each strap so you don't have tons of dangly parts to get in the way.

I realize now that my sister had the strap crooked

One thing I noticed a big difference in was that the back of the carrier rises 2-3" higher than many other similar carriers.  I found this especially comforting while wearing Charlie on my back.  I always felt like he was secure.

Some other features worth noting - the removable sleeping hood.  Love love love it!!!  Charlie really loves being in the Boba.  Usually, he is asleep in minutes, sometimes before I even have him fully strapped in.  I hate seeing his head droop to the side or backwards.  I feel him snuggle up against my back and get ready to snap the hood on.  He sleeps comfortably, and lets me know when he is awake because then the hood makes him mad, hehe.  I had a tough time getting the hood snapped by myself at first in the back carry, but once I realized it was much easier to stick the hood into the pocket leaving the straps out, then it was much easier.  With four different snap settings and an adjustable strap, the hood will fit over any size baby.  The hood can be removed and stored in the pouch it snaps into.   The hood also makes a great cover from the sun.  Also in this pouch are snaps to allow for adjustable head support to secure baby's head.

The removable foot straps.  As with everything else on the Boba, they are adjustable  Simply unsnap completely and slide the straps out of the loop if you want them off.  To adjust them, snap them together where you want them using at least 2 snaps.  To move them forward or backwards, simply slide them along the hidden cord.  Charlie is hit or miss with whether he wants to use the footstraps, so we just follow his lead.

Shoulder strap holders.  If you need to carry a purse or diaper bag while using the carrier, of course Boba makes it easy!  Just unsnap, place your purse, and snap it back together.  I don't usually carry the diaper bag if I'm using the carrier, so generally, this spot has been used more for teethers or toys that we snap on.  There is one on each shoulder strap.

Storage pockets.  A must have!  Especially if you aren't carrying a purse or diaper bag.  The zippered pocket along the bottom of the carrier is perfect for storing my keys, license, bank card, and who knows what else.  The pouch where the hood is stored is great because it is a little bigger, measuring _x_.  There are elastic bands on either side of the inside of this pouch where you can hook your keys or whatever else it may be.  Above where the foot straps are attached is a small pocket on each side of the carrier which I think is perfect for things like chapstick which I need all the time!

You can also adjust the carrier to make it suitable for newborns without any extra pieces.  Here is a quick video on how to do it.  It takes a few minutes, and isn't ideal if you switch regularly between carrying a newborn and an older infant or toddler in it.

I can only say wonderful things about our Boba.  I love the camo with the bright orange stitching.  I love the comfort of the carrier, and I love how high the back of the carrier is.  Charlie and I use our Boba almost daily and even daddy likes the print.

Buy it:  Visit Boba and get your very own carrier today!  To stay up to date on Boba fun, be sure to like them on Facebook.

Win a Boba Carrier, Boba Wrap, or Boba Air.  Ends May 31st.  Good luck!

Link up your giveaways and enter to win {Giveaway Linky}

Here are my current giveaways.  After you enter, be sure to enter the giveaway linky for more chances to win.




Ellie workout clothes 5/26 US

Cloth For a Cause 5/29 US/Canada

Boba Carrier, Boba Air, Boba Wrap 5/31 US


Be sure to check out this weeks giveaway linky to see what other bloggers are giving away!

My thoughts on preschool

It seems to me that John and I are on opposite sides of just about everything these days. Today while we were eating lunch we were talking about how Maggie is almost 3 already {eek, what?! Clearly we had to have miscounted, she can’t be that old already, can she?} Then John started talking about signing her up for preschool, which is something I hadn’t even considered doing.

The other day I was reading a checklist of things they should be doing before kindergarten and she was already doing quite a few things on that list.  Maybe I'm crazy, but I just don't get the reasons we should be sending her to preschool.  She is very sociable and listens well most days.  I don't have anything against preschool, just don't feel it is necessary for Maggie.  She will already be starting school a year later than all of her little buddies because her birthday is in October.  Maybe I'm biased because I don't anybody in our family that went to preschool.  It hasn't affected anybody, and I don't think it would be a big deal if we didn't send Maggie.

I would really love to homeschool anyways, but not sure if I will win that battle.  John is worried they will be unsocialized and not able to play sports and have friends.  That's a conversation for another day....when I have more info.

 What are your thoughts on preschool? On homeschool?  I'm curious how people feel about preschool and homeschool so please share with me.