Thursday, September 30, 2010

WAHM GIVEAWAYS THIS ENTIRE WEEKEND!!

Each day, starting Friday and going until Sunday, we will be hosting a new WAHM Giveaway.  They will be simple  and sweet and introduce you to our fabulous WAHM's. 

Check back for pictures and giveaway entries beginning Friday Morning :-) 

First person to post.................. MORE GIVEAWAYS FROM MAMI AND PAPI....... on our Facebook wall receives three extra entries in every WAHM giveway this weekend.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Diaper tip mini-giveaway

Let's have a little fun - post your favorite bit of diapering, potty-learning, ECing, nursing, or babywearing advice.  It can be funny, helpful, or both!

Post as a comment below - one entry per person this time please!  Five winners will be selected by random.org on Thursday 9/30/10 at 10 pm Eastern time to win $0.50 in store credit

I'll start:  One should always keep his/her mouth closed while using a diaper sprayer to wash poo into the toilet....(purely hypothetical...)

Make sure you scroll down - there were two blog posts today!

~Prima~

Diapering Tip: Relaxed Elastic

I had heard of elastic giving out, but was shocked when it actually happened to one the diapers in our beloved stash. I had assumed that elastic giving out happened to old diapers, and to covers had been dried a lot in the clothes dryer. Imagine my surprise, then, when I hung this diaper on the line after a wash and realized that on one side, the leg gusset now hung straight!!





I was totally confused. This diaper, while a little older in age than others in my stash, was one of the most gently used! It was purchased early in 2008 - it's birth mother (my cousin) told me it had been line-dried in San Antonio about half the time, and dryer-dried the other half of the time.  After a few months of use by my cousin, it was in storage until we adopted it in June of this year. Within two weeks of us beginning to use it (line-dried only by me), this happened!

After some quick research, I learned that one major cause of this happening is stuffing pocket diapers while they are still warm. Apparently stretching elastic while warm causes it to "poop out" early while the rest of the diaper still has lots of life left to live!

Lesson learned here! And I'm sure there are other causes too - I have seen photos of elastic burned from a dryer setting that was too hot. Feel free to comment below with your own diaper life-extending tips and experiences!

~Prima~

P.S. The first 4 people to post on Mami's and Papi's facebook page "Stretching my diapers' elastic while warm may cause the elastic to "poop out" early!" can claim $0.25 in store credit! Copy and Paste allowed :)
CLAIMED - CONGRATS BLOG STALKERS!!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Diaper Giveaway Winner!!

Random.org has determined that mbmcbride08 is the winner of the bumgenius 3.0 all-in-one diaper from the blog entries. Congratulations!! Contact Mami at mami@mamisandpapis [dot] com to claim your prize!!!

MAMI AND PAPI LIKE TO PARTY!

First 5 to post this wins $0.50 in store credit.

Post on Facebook............

"Mami and Papi Like to Party!!!"
All done... winners already posted on FB :-)

We are mixing it up at M&P's !! Giveaways will be everywhere and many times "hidden". Be sure to check Facebook, our discussion tabs, product pages, the blog posts and more! :-)

Monday, September 27, 2010

Diaper Review and Giveaway: Bumgenius 3.0 all-in-one

Have you seen what's new at Mami's and Papi's?  They are now stocking bumgenius 3.0 all-in-ones (AIOs)! As an all-in-one diaper, the lining, absorbent material, and waterproof cover are combined into a single unit. This makes them extremely user-friendly and simple to use - they are great for sending to daycare, leaving with babysitters or family willing to help with diapers, or just busy mamas!

These are sized diapers, which means if used exclusively, you'll need to purchase different sizes as your baby grows.  My first experience with these was for my older baby.  We purchased one of the size large diapers - it is a great fit, and I loved having it in the diaper bag.  (It got points with Daddy, too, for being velcro/aplix, and ready to go without any stuffing or prep work!) At that point, the majority of our stash was one-size, and we had another baby coming along.  I knew I wanted to cloth diaper the new baby from birth, but also realized life was busy and knew I'd have help with diapers.  For simplicity, I purchased the bumgenius AIOs in extra small.  The rise on the extra small is intended to fall below the cord on newborn babies.  I was really pleased with the fit of the extra smalls, but by two weeks of age, our heavy-wetter was occasionally sleeping 4 hours at a time, and the absorbency was not enough for that length of time.  Here is a photo at 10 days old, 8'8", 20.5 inches long.


The next step for us was to move up to the size smalls, for babies 8-16 pounds.  Our family could probably have used the size smalls initially if we had waited until the cord was off.  While the extra small size does not have a pocket to add extra absorbency in case the sewn-in microfiber is not enough, the sizes small through large do have the pocket.  The size smalls worked really well for our heavy wetter through about 8 weeks of age, at which point I needed to add an additional newborn insert first at night, then all the time.  This photo was taken today - the fit is still great with room to go, and she is just under 14 pounds at just over 3 months of age. 



Here is a photo of the inside of the diaper.  The material against baby's skin is microsuede, which is considered a stay-dry material.  The wetness is drawn through the microsuede layer into the microfiber pad which is hidden in this type of diaper design. Toward the front of the diaper you can see the outline of where the microfiber pad is sewn to the stay-dry lining.  At the back, you can see part of the microfiber pad as well as the pocket formed by the microsuede/microfiber pad layer and the cover with the PUL waterproof coating.



As a generality, I find that all-in-one diapers take longer to dry, just by the nature of their design.  During the heat of the summer, I have been able to get them completely dry on the clothes line. They do take about 3 times as long to dry as some of the faster drying diapers, but they are not the last of my AIOs to dry, either. With the days getting shorter, I have had to throw them in the dryer for just about 7-10 minutes for them to be completely dry.

I really couldn't ask for a better fit from this diaper - cottonbabies has this part down!  In the all-in-one diaper category, it is what I would consider to be middle of the road in terms of the "trimness factor".  It has a simple and easy to use design. The fact that it is an all-in-one but still has a pocket to add extra absorbency is an added bonus for a mom to a heavy wetter!  Many won't need this option, though, as I didn't with my older baby.  These have served our family well as a transition for our new baby into her older sister's mostly one-size stash, and we also love the larger size AIO for it's trimness and ease for on-the-go.

Need to try this diaper?  You can purchase it here at Mami's and Papi's online store, or ENTER TO WIN ONE BUMGENIUS 3.0 AIO HERE!!! Entries accepted through 7 pm Eastern Daylight Time on 9/28/10.

Until next time,
~Prima~


Disclosure: the opinions of this review are my own. The diapers reviewed were purchased by me.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Win $0.50 in M&P store credit - CLAIMED, THANK YOU!

*****Already claimed - it pays to keep an eye on the blog!*****
First person to post on Mami's and Papi's facebook page "I've still got it!" wins $0.50 in store credit....

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Review: Diaper Bag Wrangler Changing Pad

There's a beautiful diapering accessory at Mami's and Papi's online store...not easily noticed, but it deserves some love!  The Diaper Bag Wrangler (DBW) has several handmade items available at Mami's and Papi's (even a few exclusive's!), and the changing pad is just one of them.

The DBW changing pad measures approximately 22" by 17" in length - a perfect size.  It has a beautiful cotton print on one side and a super-soft unbleached organic cotton as the reverse.  The first thing I noticed about it was how vibrant the colors are on the cotton print - the pictures do not do it justice!  The second thing I noticed was how nicely it was made.  The fabrics are substantial, not thin, and of course it's washable!

I would hate for this to be limited as just a changing pad. Around here it's been miserably hot and humid. At the suggestion of a friend, I folded the two sides in and lined our seat with it, and it helps wick the moisture away. As an added bonus, our carseat got a facelift! With Fall just around the corner in the Midwest, it would also be nice to have the flannel side facing out.


Here are a few more action shots of the "changing pad" in use over the last few weeks.

Replacing our folded bath towel which was functioning as our changing pad...

If you're missing your "changing pad", check to see if it's being snuggled with - it's that soft!!
Not pictured are it's use as a baby lap blanket in the infant carseat during a recent unseasonably cold weekend, and as a blanket for my 1 1/2 year old's dolly. My only problem is figuring out which way to use it - good thing it's washable!

I would love to see an option for a second generation changing pad with a layer of PUL sewn in! I would call it "not-just-a-changing pad" :)

Need one?  Find it here at Mami's and Papi's where it's available in beautiful prints that coordinate with some of the DBW's other items such as aprons, booties, and wetbags! There are even military-print yellow ribbon items from which a portion of the purchase goes to the USO.

Until next time!
~Prima~

Disclosure: the opinions of this review are my own. I was provided this item to review free of charge.

Reviews

Mami's and Papi's is ready to add another aspect to the blog - reviews!  Before we get started, we wanted to let you know a little about the approach to reviews.

My reviews will be honest reviews.  Mami and Papi have worked hard to carry quality products, and I have an open mind when it comes to products (maybe this is why I've tried so many!).  I believe it is a dis-service to you as readers and members of Mami's and Papi's family to write a review that may have an important aspect left out because it may be less than positive.  If I were purchasing a product, I would want to know everything about it. That said, just because a particular product has a point that is not perfect for my family, it doesn't mean that product is not perfect for another family.  You will find a wide variety of reviews - some diapers, some diapering accessories, and some non-diaper related.

As embarrassed as I am to admit this on the internet, I had purchased many many of the products that Mami's and Papi's carries in their online store before I knew they existed. You'll find that the vast majority of the items reviewed were purchased by me, and you can find this information in the disclosure in each post.

Some of the reviews in the future will include giveaways, some will not.  You'll need to follow closely, and you know what Mami says about the size of the Mami's and Papi's customer family and giveaways... ;)

Now that we have that out of the way, on to reviews!
~Prima~

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Worth it's weight in gold...

And, no, I'm not talking about that premium diaper you've had your eye on!  I hope this post will be worth it's weight in gold - the golden rays of the sun, that is!

This post may seem like an odd first diaper-related post, but I wanted to introduce so you can try this before some of us cloth diapering parents in the latitudes further North begin losing our precious hours of sun.  Sun and cloth diapers were made for each other! The sun provides several benefits to those parents who cloth diaper. By line-drying in the sun, you realize some energy savings by foregoing the use of the dryer, have the benefit of the UV rays' sanitizing effect, and (my favorite!) you have the stain-blasting power of the sun's rays.  The energy savings aren't enormous per load, but at a cost of about $0.40 per load x ~3 loads per week x 16 weeks, that's close to $20 savings.  Could you buy your favorite diaper with that? ;) The areas of the diaper that are directly exposed to the UV rays are subject to a sanitizing effect.  This wouldn't help the inside of an all-in-one, but every little bit helps! 

My favorite benefit is the topic of the remainder of this post.  When UV rays hit a stained surface of a wet diaper, magic happens!  The most important detail of this concept is that the diapers MUST BE WET OR DAMP!  It doesn't even matter if it's partly cloudy - the UV rays that are most responsible for this effect are UVA rays.  UVA rays penetrate clouds, clothes, your skin, etc.  On a sunny day, you have the "benefit" of UVA and UVB rays, but even on a cloudy day, the UVA rays are around working their magic. 

Here are some photos demonstrating the sun's impact on stains.  These are pocket diapers with microsuede interior and microfiber inserts, and were freshly washed, but still stained with EBF poo. NO photoshopping was done to these photos other than cropping!

On a partly cloudy day "before"...
...and "after"! I got this set damp one more time, and it was perfectly white!
On a bright, sunny day "before"...

...and after!  Perfection occurred after only about 45 minutes!


Just a few more things to note from my personal experience.  When I hang the diapers on the line, I face the surface that has the most stain toward where the sun will be the majority of the time the diapers are out. I've found that the sun's effects are nearly perfect on microsuede and microfiber in just one shot on a sunny day. It works "very well" on microfleece, although after numerous sunnings this summer, my microfleece pockets still have some shadows.  Sunning still works well on natural fibers such as cotton and hemp, but it may take several rounds, or you may need to use some advanced stain-fighting techniques (another post!).  This past winter, we had almost no sun, but I did the best I could in windows on a sunny day. The house we live in has some UV-blocking function in the glass, so I had stains for a few months. When I started drying them on the line this spring, they were gone within a few washes! The most important thing to remember, is that the diapers MUST BE AT LEAST DAMP!

Happy sunning!
~Prima~

Monday, September 13, 2010

A little about the author - my cloth diapering "credentials"

It's Prima, here!  Get ready for a wealth of information to be posted on the blog!  Before we get rolling, though, I thought you might like to know a little about who I am and about my cloth diapering journey.  I have four children ages 7, almost 5, 17 months, and 3 months.  Each of the four children was cloth diapered for varying lengths of time, and I've tried just about every type of diaper out there from flats, prefolds, and fitteds to pocket diapers, all-in-ones, and my newest addiction - wool!  I have been through the ringer with diaper laundry too! I started cloth diapering close to 7 years ago when my first son was a few months old - by today's standards and with the "modern cloth diaper", that was "ancient times"!

When we had our third child, I was ready to cloth diaper full time.  We started with her at about 5 weeks of age, because I wasn't knowledgeable about how to cloth diaper a newborn. (Never fear - that deserves it's own post!). Then, we had our 4th child born 14 months after our third. By then, I was totally addicted to cloth diapering and knew that two in diapers was the best excuse possible to expand my stash! I know some of you are there with me... So I went *NUTS* trying one of every diaper out there! Ok, I'm exaggerating, but only a little!

I read and read and read about cloth diapering and the best ways to take care of them, launder them, organize them, and more.  I created page-long documents on cloth diapering for my friends and I have a few converts!  Now it's time to share all this with you!  We want this to be your SOURCE for information - let us know what you'd like to see.  As you come to know Mami's and Papi's, you'll learn that it is a family-oriented business, serving families.

Please take the time to fill out the mini-survey here so we can serve you best!

~Prima~

Sunday, September 12, 2010

For $1.00 Store Credit...CLOSED


This Giveaway is now CLOSED
The first person to fill in ALL of these blanks to finish the names of well known patriotic songs wins $1.00 store credit to M&P's.
 Please list your email with your post! 
Good Luck!

1. _______ the beautiful.
2. All quiet on the ______ tonight.
3. On top of old ______.
4. When _______ comes Marchin' Home.
5. The Yellow rose of ________.
6. Mine ______ have seen the beauty.
7. My ______ tis of thee.
8. ______ races.
9. Amazing _______.
10. Grand old _________.




Congrats to LilyPad Mom!
I missed a little mistake (sorry), no worries though $1.00 also goes to OpenDesertEyes!


For $1.00 Store Credit...CLOSED

This Giveaway is now CLOSED
What is #6 in the M&P's Giveaway and Behavior Code of Conduct? 

First to answer wins $1.00 store credit! 


Congrats to Rachel S. and again I forgot to ask for your email ( I get a little too excited)!
 Please send it to me at pprice3@emich.edu

Just wondering....

Is everyone having fun?!

For $1.00 Store Credit...CLOSED

This Giveaway is now CLOSED!
For $1.00 Store Credit...
This will be a RANDOM win! The winner will be picked randomly, but the giveaway is only open for 5 minutes! 
Click HERE to enter!


Congrats to Rachel S. 
Who had the first correct answer of: Fuzzibunz (Tereson Dupuy), Happy Heinys (Linda Byerline), Bummis (Shirley Murdock/Betsy Thomas) 

For $1.00 Store Credit...CLOSED

This Giveaway is now CLOSED
To win $1.00 Store Credit to M&P's---->
Draw a sign that states your M&P status.
ie. Stalker, Senior, or Freshman.
Take a picture of yourself with that sign and post it on the M&P facebook page wall!
First to post WINS!
Example:


Congrats to Sarah Laing!!

For $1.00 Store Credit...CLOSED

CLOSED!
The first person to post all of the ingredients in a can of Sprite 
WINS $1.00 store credit to M&Ps. 

You must comment on this post to be entered! (click the numbered box in the upper right hand corner of this post to comment)


Congrats to Kimberlie!


please send an email to pprice3@emich.edu to claim your prize! 
(sorry I forgot to ask everyone to post their emails in their answers, Mami's gonna need it to credit your account)

For $1.00 Store Credit...CLOSED

This giveaway is now CLOSED
The FIRST person to CALL Mami on her phone and confess their true love to her
wins $1.00 store credit to M&P's!
Yep, find that number. I promise it is listed SoMeWhErE.
She will let me know who got to her first :o) 


Congrats Katie Phillips!!

For $1.00 Store Credit...CLOSED


This Giveaway is now CLOSED!
To win $1.00 Store Credit to M&P's---->
Click HERE and be the first to correctly answer the question in the blue and grey box!

Congrats to Janessa!
You've won $1.00 store credit!
The answer was Brooke Army Medical Center! 

For $1.00 Store Credit...CLOSED




Now CLOSED
To win $1.00 Store Credit to M&P's---->
Click HERE and be the first to correctly answer the question in the blue and grey box!


WINNER: Claire 
Congrats you won $1.00 credit to M&P's! 
The answer is Marie!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

SOMEONE AWESOME IS COMING TO THE M&P'S TEAM !!!

I am super excited because within the next few days one of my very good friends is joining the M&P's team.  She is super knowledgeable in cloth diapering and has four children of her own and a loving husband.

We are so excited for the great new things coming to M&P's. New blog reviews, giveaways, participation events, and just good friends to talk to. 

We may not be the biggest, but we sure are big in heart!

All the best,

Mami

Friday, September 3, 2010

OH WHERE OH WHERE ARE MY STALKERS NOW, OH WHERE OH WHERE CAN THEY BE??

HERE'S ONE FOR THE REAL STALKERS..........................  FIRST ONE TO POST THAT THEY SAW A NEW POST ON MAMI'S BLOG, WINS $3.00 STORE CREDIT.

:-) POST ON FACEBOOK!!!