I know, I know; you’re probably wondering why on Earth I’m thinking about this. Well, it was all prompted by my friend’s Facebook status on Mother’s Day. My friend, Daphne, posted this on her Facebook profile, “It’s a bittersweet Mother’s Day today. Grateful for [my son] E and the joy, laughter, love and entertainment he brings to our life and has for the last 2.5 years. But also mourning for the two sweet babies we recently lost to two miscarriages. So this Mother’s [D]ay, hug your little ones just a little tighter, hold them just a little longer and remember we get to be moms because of them! Thank you God for E!” When your friend hurts you hurt; it’s the law of friendship. I wondered how Daphne was feeling, if she had confided in someone or at least let others know the loss she was mourning that weekend.

Depression. Miscarriage. Infertility. All three are isolating. No mother chooses to struggle with depression. No mother wants to feel the pain and loss of life from within her womb. No woman longs to feel emptiness as she walks through infertility. And yet sometimes we feel like we have to walk through this alone.

Daphne shared with me that her reason for sharing the news of her miscarriage with people was because people had been asking her when she was going to become pregnant again. The pain that the question caused encouraged her to be open with people about what she was going through. By sharing her own experience with others she’s found comfort in the arms of friends, encouragement in the form of living plants given to her by friends and prayers whispered to help heal her heart.

What are we waiting for? Are we waiting for someone to ask us if we’re struggling? Here I go: Hi, my name is Bert and I’ve been diagnosed with depression since my son was four months old. The first four months of my son’s life were very dark and while I have slipped back into my depression twice since my diagnosis. I’m in a good place now and I’m so thankful for this. 

Thirsties Duo AIO is an All-In-One diaper. This means that the waterproof layer and absorbency are sewn together. There is a tunnel inside the diaper, in which you may add a Hemp Insert if additional absorbency is needed.

I have made two charts. One for size 1 and one for size 2. You will not buy both at the same time. The warranty for your diapers starts from the day of purchase, so only purchase the diapers that your baby can wear now.

Size 1:

Product		System	Sizing	Price Each	Qty needed	Cost
Duo AIO Starter Package 6-18 lbs
Duo AIO		All in One diaper	1	$15.75	20	$315.00
Hemp Insert		Insert	Small	$9.00	5	$45.00
Booty Love		Diaper Ointment	2 oz	$14.95	1	$14.95
Booty Luster		Wipes Spray	4 oz8 oz	$6.25$11.00	11	$17.25
Fab Wipes		Cloth Wipes	8×8	$12.25	5	$61.25
Diaper Pail Liner		Diaper Pail Liner	One size	$20.00	2	$40.00
Diaper Duffle		Diaper Bag Duffle	One size	$7.25	1	$7.25
					Total	$500.70

Size 2:

Product		System	Sizing	Price Each	Qty needed	Cost
Duo AIO Starter Package 18-40 lbs
Duo AIO		All in One diaper	2	$15.75	14	$220.50
Hemp Insert		Insert	Large	$9.00	7	$63.00
Booty Love		Diaper Ointment	2 oz	$14.95	1	$14.95
Booty Luster		Wipes Spray	4 oz8 oz	$6.25$11.00	11	$17.25
Fab Wipes		Cloth Wipes	8×8	$12.25	5	$61.25
Diaper Pail Liner		Diaper Pail Liner	One size	$20.00	2	$40.00
Diaper Duffle		Diaper Bag Duffle	One size	$7.25	1	$7.25
					Total	$424.20

Please choose from the two charts depending on what size your baby is. Weight and age recommendations are general, so please take a look at our sizing chart for your baby’s measurements.

Please send me an email at support@thirstiesbaby.com if you have any questions!

(*This post originally posted in July 2012.)

~Sonya

• Fast diaper changes: If you have a squirmy baby like my little Kendall then all of those snaps can be a major pain. Aplix makes for an uber fast diaper change. You don’t have to match up snaps to get the perfect fit. Wham bam thank you ma’am, diaper change doneso! 
• Less intimidating for those who aren’t familiar with cloth diapers. My mom always comments on the number of snaps on some of my newer diapers. It’s not that it’s more difficult to use a diaper that has snaps but in my opinion it’s the intimidation factor.
• No indents on baby’s skin. Now, this is probably more telling in how I put a diaper on than anything else but I have found that some snaps leave an indentation on the hips of my daughter. Is it a deal breaker? No, but it just further cements my feelings on Aplix.

This is why I love Thirsties; they offer BOTH my beloved Aplix and the close second is, of course, snaps. And my all time favorite diaper cover is Thirsties’ diaper cover…look at the closure. Mmmmhmmm! I rest my case.

Tell me, are you an Aplix Babe or a Sassy Snaps Mama?

Typically I’m a tougher mom than to let my four and a half year old affect my emotions so much but after the fifth demand to watch a TV show and the fifth meltdown at the undesired answer of his request I had reached my limit. It probably has more to do with the fact that my lady friend was visiting that day so hormones were definitely raging.

After a few more tantrums I did what any mom in today’s world would do: I took to the world of social media to voice my frustrations. “I feel like all I am seen as today is a maid and cook,” I declared to the Facebook world. Seeing my job change announcement my other mommy friends clicked that ever so popular like button and then explained that they weren’t liking the fact that I felt that way rather they completely resonated with how I was feeling. I felt like taking Brennan by the shoulders and saying, “Look kid, I took you to the library this morning can’t you be appreciative of that?” Of course, I didn’t do this; besides there’s really no way of reasoning with anyone under the age of 18 but you better believe that I wanted to. Thankfully my better judgment kicked in.

Isn’t this the truth though? As mothers we give and give and give; I know that all I really want is for someone to say, “thank you.” The irony is that when I was a child I willingly took anything my mother wanted to give to me. Like Brennan, I too badgered and nagged my mom until I got what I wanted and if I didn’t, I’m certain I went into full tantrum mode.

At the end of the day, after my husband had come home and the kids were in bed, I sat back and thought about everything that had happened. I thought about how I was feeling, wondered if what I was doing was more than just wiping butts and making chicken nuggets. Then an image of my own mom popped into my head and I instantly felt guilty. Had I treated her this way? Did she have days like this when I was a child living at home? I’m sure that she did and you know what? Her constant care taking of me has made me the woman I am today. Her selfless nature taught me how to be selfless with my own children.

Mother’s Day is this weekend and my challenge to you is to think of a way to thank your own mom for those difficult days. What will you do?

The new print will be available in the Duo Line, including; Duo All In One, Duo Diaper, Duo Wrap. The new print comes in both snap and hook n’ loop closures.

Be sure to visit your favorite Thirsties cloth diaper retailer or search our database of current authorized retailers.

Thirsties Thursday Giveaway:

1-Thirsties Duo All-in-One Cloth Diaper

1-Thirsties Booty Love

1-Thirsties Booty Luster

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It started out with an obsession with pajamas. Brennan would get dressed in the morning and by lunchtime he was in a new pair of PJ’s. Afternoon would come and he had to do another PJ change. I thought the PJ phase would make me go insane but I was wrong. Let me introduce you to the cause of my questionable sanity for the last six weeks. Meet Mighty Mouse. This brilliant shirt was a present to Brennan from my in-laws. I think his original love for the shirt came from a misunderstanding that it was Mickey Mouse and then he remembered that his Grandpa and Nana gave it to him. That fact only increased his love for it.

Day in and day out, for what felt like an eternity, Brennan would emerge from his bedroom wearing this bright orange shirt. I really honed my negotiating skills; every outing was a struggle because, of course Mighty Mouse had to be worn, whether or not he was filthy. From what I’ve read most children go through this clothing phase. For my sister, it was a purple dress with red knit tights, at the age of four. For my friend’s daughter it was a tutu with pink leggings. Here’s what I do know from personal experience:

• As difficult as it is, don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s a phase of independence that every child must go through. Really what other things can they really control in their little world? Don’t squash the independence phase.
• No one keeps track of what your child wears every day except for you. Really, why did this shirt bother me so much? No one else cares about it, nor do they really remember what my child is wearing day in and day out.
• Kids will be kids; pick and choose your battles. I found that I had to remind myself of  this frequently.

Has your child gone through this? What did you do? It’s okay, you can vent your frustration here…I won’t tell.

Emily won:

1-Thirsties Duo Wrap
2-Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds

Emily, please contact us here to claim your giveaway. When you contact us let us know you are the winner and also include your email address for verification purposes. You have until May 4th at 4pm cst to claim otherwise we will draw a new winner.

Korova Cookies (Photo credit: jazzijava)

Have you ever had one of those days? Has getting out of bed ever been like trying to budge a boulder? Has it ever taken everything you’ve got to get through the day? Of course you have, you are a parent!

On those particularly difficult days, I find myself needing to take a break from routine, and do something that feels good.  It may be a little ritual that you take a few minutes for, such as going outside for some fresh air and sun, staring out the window and nibbling on a chocolate, or relaxing in an oversized chair with throw and a cup of hot apple cider. (Those are some of my favorite things!) It may be something that takes more time such as, “Hey kids, let’s go to the park and throw the Frisbee!” or “Honey, let’s go out tonight, just you and me!” It is not only kids that need that kind of spontaneous fun. Although we are grown ups, we need that break, that bit of fun to keep us young and to forget about the responsibilities of life for a few moments.

How do you take 5?