Eat. Sleep. Poop. - Change Table Essentials

Do you have all your essentials in hand's reach for when life gives you all sorts of messes? Here are the things that I think you should have set-up in/or or near your station.

Diapers Whether it's prefolds, All-in-Ones, Pockets, Fitteds or whatever your diaper vice may be, you want to make sure to have plenty of diapers on hand. (I even keep 2-3 disposables within reach in case I run out of cloth.) Take them out of the package and prep them (see "Why Did I Decide to Use Cloth".) If you use liners, it may be wise to pre-line them or keep a roll near your diapers and place one in the diaper if you anticipate any bowel movements. Liners are biodegradable and make clean-up a breeze.

Wipes I keep a wipes warmer on the second shelf filled with cotton, fleece and bamboo wipes filled with warm water and a baby-safe essential oil blend. I also keep a box of pre-moistened wipes next to a box of tissues on the top shelf for the dry poops.

Diaper Pail or Diaper Bag I have a MotherEase Pail lined with a laundering bag. You don't need to get all fancy like I did, a simple laundering bag hanging off the door will suffice. Kate has very stinky pees so I like to keep her dirty diapers in a well ventilated area.

Diaper Rash Creams and Bottom Balms Keep rashes at bay by keeping the bum dry. One wet wipe and one dry wipe is key. Adding a very thing layer of balm is a good way to stay on top of redness.

Cradle cap cream, lotion, nose aspirators and nail clippers You probably examine you baby the most when you're at the changing station. Keep creams handy for that unexpected grooming.

Mom Essentials The change table isn't all about Baby... remember to add some hair elastics to keep your hair out of your face and lip balm to help soothe you - you're such a scatterbrain these days that you'll probably forget about your lips the minute you leave the baby room.

And of course,... A CHANGING PAD AND COVER!
A well-equipped changing station will make your life a lot easier!

Join Me at Wabi Sabi Ottawa!

Working as Bibmababy (WEB) (FACEBOOK), I've been running uphill trying to catch up with custom wool dryer ball requests. I've decided to partner up with Wabi Sabi Ottawa and offer a Tutorial Class! Are you in the Ottawa, Canada area? Register for Thursday's Mommy Friendly Class on April 14th 2011 at 10am-12 noon or Saturday's Class offered on May 14th from 10 am to 12 noon!

WHAT are Wool Dryer Balls you ask? Well, they're exactly that. 100% Wool in ball form! They are made from spun wool yarn, batting or roving that’s felted, either by hand or through a washing and drying process.

WHERE can I use these fun Wool Balls? There's a gazillion reasons for them - I use them mainly for the Dryer, but they double up as drawer, closet, gym bag, boot and car fresheners. Leave them unscented and they become House-Friendly Toy balls! As much as the dogs love them, word to the wise… keep them away. Dogs LOVE the smell… and them tear apart, leaving wool bits EVERYWHERE!

HOW do Wool Balls help laundering clothes? When placed in the dryer along with your wet laundry, the dryer balls bounce around like Bingo balls and help to lift and separate the clothes, reducing static as well as leaving clothes feeling soft and fluffy. They also reduce dying time by improving the circulation of heat and air and the balls themselves soak up excess moisture in turn cutting into hydro costs. If you have a fragrance sensitivity, these work great over using fabric softeners. If you don't - add essential oils for a natural non-toxic alternative. It's supposed to reduce static - but I have yet to see proof of that. However, I have noticed a must faster result in drying towels and my cloth diapers - almost 20 minutes! Personally I find that amazing.

The balls are about the size of a tennis ball and tightly felted. I recommend you have about 3-4 of these in your dryer to start. We now have about 8 of these in the dryer. 1oz of wool seems to do the trick, but the heavier the ball the better… to a certain extent of course. We want them to bounce around, not launder a brick. :)

WHY are Wool felted balls better than the commercially available plastic ones?

• They are inexpensive to make since you can use upcycled wool from an old sweater rather than new material.
• Using an all-natural wool means no harsh chemicals!
• The banging sound is a lot quieter!
• Finally, the potential reduction in clothing lifespan is not a problem considering they are a cloth product themselves.

In this course I will be teaching you how to make a regular ball with batting by wet felting and one by machine felting. This will also be used as a core for our fancier balls - a roving ball and a decorated ball by felting on shapes and adding wool webbing.

WHEN can I take this class? For more information on this course or to take any of Wabi Sabi's fun creative courses, visit Wabi Sabi Ottawa (WEB) or Call: (613) 725-KNIT. Wool Dryer Balls Classes are offered Thursday, April 14th from 10 am - 12 noon and Saturday, May 14th 10am - 12 noon.

Twig Studio Dollhouse Giveaway at 3 Little Monkeys!

Someone is going to win a free Twig Studio Dollhouse!

I've been dying to find a great dollhouse for Kate, yes, she's still a bit young, but I'd like to get a leg up on this. I this every little girl should have her very own dollhouse. I've looked at Fisher Price ones, but I don't know how I feel about that plasticky, "every kid on the block owns one of these" playhouses. I love it when Kate gets something she an call her own, and that she can be proud that I just didn't go to Zellers to pick one up for her. I visited a local woodworker to see how much he would charge me for a simple dollhouse... and the price? OUCH!!! I've been eying one at 3 Little Monkeys (WEB) (FACEBOOK) . I fell in love with this gem, it has an original style and at $99-$199 in price... can't complain! The Twig Studio Dollhouses (WEB) are simply adorable!!! This is a Waldorf Style Wooden Dollhouse made with Laminated Birch finished with Natural non-toxic paints and beeswax. All the little doors are fully functional with real little leather hinges and door pulls.

This beauty is not only fun for the kidding but super easy to put together. So no headaches for mom and dad! Made of a slotted construction, which means no tools needed! Assembles like a puzzle. It's features 2 main floors, a half floor loft, and 2 balconies - oh la la! With little hands in mind, the house also has many reach through points. People and accessories are not included and you also need to buy the grassy/pebbly base separately - but this is sure to make any little boy or girl happy!

Please see the Giveaway Rules on 3 Little Monkeys' Facebook Page. They will ship to anywhere in North America (see details for shipping).

The winner will be drawn randomly - you can have up to 9 entries in the draw! Good Luck!

Chiquita Baby presents: How to wash your diapers using a front loader!

This is similar to my washing routine, however, I take my diapers out of the bag and I don't add water. I soak a towel and throw that in the machine too. Every 2 weeks, I run a second rinse without soap to reduce the risk of residue or ammonia build up. You also don't want to run the machine with too little diapers... you want them to rub together! This helps get rid of any cling-ons.