There is something beautiful about fresh fluff hanging on the line(or in my case rack) in the spring and summer air. After drying my beautiful soft baby fluff laundry, I bring it in doors, bury my head in the fluff(You'd think it would be gross, but it SOOO isn't!)and take a deep breath in. The smell of what once was defecated in by an infant is suddenly Oh so wonderful, and smells oh so fresh! It's like heaven in the moment and to be honest, as weird as it sounds, has such a calming effect. I have these same feelings when drying bath towels and linens, so perhaps the magic doesn't only happen with my cloth diapers but there is something magical and quite wonderful about cloth diapering.
I like to think of cloth diapering as a journey...It has been almost 4 years since that first modern cloth diaper hit a babies bum in this house. I had always been quite repulsed by the idea of cloth diapers until my 5th son was born with allergies. After the birth of my second child in 2004, I had this genius idea to purchase a few dozen prefolds, diaper pins, and what we all know as "grandma's bubble covers." At the time I thought I was going to save big. At first I thought "this isn't so bad," I quickly discovered quite the opposite and was repulsed with the only cleaning measures I knew..."dunk and squish." Playing in the toilet just wasn't my thing. I tried to love the idea of cloth diapering. I tried to love cloth diapering in general. I tried SOOO hard. It was evident I could not stick with something I hated so much. So, with that said, I gave up. It had only been two weeks. Cloth diapering the "old school way," was another failed attempt at saving money, saving the environment, and trying to live up to my mother. After all, she had cloth diapered with prefolds, why couldn't I? I have always valued my mother's advice and opinions. My mom has always had a certain way of doing things and in my eyes has always been the model of perfection. While she did not cloth diaper 100% of the time to my knowledge, she did cloth diaper. I have a twin sister and with two in diapers at once I'm sure it saved her money and was helpful. There still is some sort of nostalgia to cloth diapering with prefolds, personally they just were not for me
Fast forward to February 2012...With the birth of my fifth child I noticed very quickly something was wrong. He was breaking out in rashes any place a disposable diaper was placed. The doctor suggested we tape a diaper to his back to see if it was in fact the disposable diaper we had been using. Sure enough it was. I bought several different brands of disposable diapers and every one of them gave him rashes. I had discovered 2 brands that did not give him rashes but they were the organic diapers or diapers free of chemicals. Not only were they free of chemicals, but they came with a high price tag to go with them. At the time my fourth child was still in disposables as well and was not potty trained. I was not wanting to spend $120 a month on disposable diapers including the cost of disposable wipes. I quickly began researching and I was given a large handful of miscellaneous cloth diapers from a friend locally. I can remember how clueless I was. I had no idea how to wash them or how to clean them when soiled. They looked so different from the prefolds and bubble covers I knew. I immediately started researching cloth diapers online. To my discovery, I discovered cloth diapering had changed SO much! There was suddenly this whole world of cloth diapering! I discovered many various brands of cloth diapers, as well as this whole world of cloth diaper boards, groups, and buy/sell/trade boards on Facebook of all places! I was in diaper heaven. I can remember being enrolled in college classes at the time. I had just given birth and was in college! As I was sitting in class I was quite distracted by these new fangled fluff! I was determined to cloth diaper and to make a go of it this time around. As my laptop was open in class(as was everyone else's)...there I was sitting in class googling cloth diaper brands and visiting cloth diaper stores.(Tisk,Tisk) I couldn't focus. I was blown away with all the options. So many brands, types, and lingo I had no clue! As I sat in class trying to figure out what I could purchase with the budget I had been given. My husband was never on board from day one. He was used to disposables. I can remember explaining the cost and all he saw was the bottom dollar. In his mind it was going to save us money so he heard me out. He did agree to allow me to spend the money as long as 1.I changed every diaper, and 2. He didn't have to clean them once soiled or do dirty diaper laundry.(not that he did any laundry anyway) I decided it was worth it and said "Done." By the time my baby was a month old I had a stash of primarily Fuzzy Bunz cloth diapers(which were given to me)other miscellaneous diapers, as well as an entire stash of Sunbaby cloth diapers.(aka "China cheapies") I was not impressed with what I had and was encountering leaks. They just didn't live up to the expectations I had from these modern cloth diapers. I b ought a large selection of other brands and just wasn't impressed. I joined several cloth diaper groups and it was in one of those groups I met the owner of The Baby Bum, a cloth diaper store out of Washington State. She had recommended Applecheeks. While The Baby Bum was not the first store I purchased Applecheeks from, I did buy a good handful of Applecheeks from TBB to help start my stash. The owner of TBB introduced me to an online Facebook group "Applecheeks Anonymous." At the time it was the only Applecheeks fan based group that I knew of at the time. It was essentially the "it" place to be if you were an Applecheeks fan. There were so many encouraging moms! I was welcomed among the rest and found it to be my fun zone. I was able to share my thoughts, concerns, ask questions, and seek advice from other Applecheeks users! So in March 2012 the fun began! I didn't realize my colorful Applecheeks would become so loved! With every new diaper addition I fell more in love. Oh the beautiful ruffles! For me, the love started with the function of Applcheeks. The four elastics on all four sides prevent leaks and wicking does not occur! I absolutely LOVE Applecheeks 2 and 3 ply bamboo inserts. They are soft, luxurious, and super absorbent! Applecheeks inserts were just what I needed! I slowly began destashing and selling off my other brands. Overtime all that remains is Applcheeks! I did at one point have quite a few of another brand; Ann Marie Padorie size XLG diapers because my fourth child had outgrown size 2 Applecheeks. I was not impressed with the pocket placement and at one point asked Ilana to please make a size 3 diaper. I sent her photo comparison shots. While the outside cover between the brands were similar, there is just no comparison. Applecheeks ranks #1 in function,(with a variance in pocket placement as Applecheeks has an envelope style pocket which agitates out in the wash vs. AMP where you have to stick your hands in the nitty gritty pee to un-stuff before washing! Eww!)quality, and style! She said she had never thought of making a size 3 diaper! I was quite ecstatic when they announced size 3's on the way! After he was potty trained, Applecheeks released size 3s! So while we did not get to enjoy them and use them with my fourth child because they did not exist, I was able to get use out of them before my 5th child potty trained! And then there is of course the addition of Applecheeks Trainers! We now use trainers as well!
Visit: http://www.thebabybum.com/Default.asp
My stash of cloth diapers has certainly evolved over the last 4 years. With so many releases, I have slowly added to my stash. One here, one there when a sale arises. For me, having a large stash was necessity. I absolutely hate and despise laundry in general. With a household of 8 people I find it necessity to have a large stash. I don't always get to laundry when I want to. I try to get to it as soon as I can because let's be honest. No one wants a house that reeks of smelly poo diapers sitting around or smelling up the dirty diaper pail! When I found out I was pregnant with our 6th child I began to buy more cloth diapers and have successfully been using Applecheeks from birth with my youngest! One thing is for sure...Applecheeks have a GREAT fit that fit babies of ALL shapes and sizes. Not only do they carry cloth diapers, but there is an entire collection of cloth diapering accessories available to aid in cloth diapering! It all adds up and comes together overtime to create a beautiful collection. While I don't do an entire stash shot of all my Applecheeks stuff(let's face it who has time to gather everything up??!... I sure don't with 6 kids!!! You're lucky enough to see my covers) I do take the time once or twice a year to do a rainbow shot of all my Applecheeks cloth diaper covers in rainbow shape to see all the beautiful fluff come together! Then there is of course my Wrapplecheeks Pomacious Tula/ A Lil Tulips exclusive made for Lil Tulips,(shew..I think I typed that right, but I could be wrong) where only 12-16? exist to my knowledge; something like that. Tula is a whole other topic in itself. Because of the Wrapplecheeks for Applecheeks Print by Natibaby- It is total LOVE and has made my recent rainbow shots!
And BECAUSE I love Applecheeks SO much, I will have to blog about the community that currently surrounds Applecheeks in a facebook group Peace.Love.Applecheeks., as well as talk about where to buy. There are LOTS of creative places and ways to acquire Applecheeks to fit your budget! I will discuss all these issues in up and coming blog posts! Be sure to follow my blog and check back!
