Bum to Brazil

The Fluffy Bum has arrived and leaves soon for South America. Where it will enjoy a lovely bout of warm weather while we all freeze here in the States.

Happy Holidays to everyone and love to your little ones!

Hally

Last Participant

We're up to our last participant who is taking the diaper over the holiday to BRAZIL!!!!

(Unless we get anyone new?!?!?)

After that, I'm compiling a small package of the WWFB and some diaper donations from our local CD'g mamas to make a care package for Miracle Diapers.

If you're interested, please look into it. Miracle Diapers is a FANTASTIC organization and could really use your cloth if you can spare your cast offs. Especially if you're a sewing mama who is trying a variety of styles/fits, this is a great place to purge.

All the best to you & yours this holiday season,
Hally

Hang in there...

While the international diaper has been 'lost' on Canada's Eastern Coast, the domestic diaper is still making the rounds.

There's a couple more mamas on the list and I anticipate it getting to most of them by the New Year.

My hope is to send a great package of the diaper, map, etc to Miracle Diapers. If you would like to donate your diapers to this amazing organization, please let me know and I'll bundle them all together from The Global Fluffy Bum Participants.

Hally

More Fluff in Maryland

When Johnny was born we made the choice to use cloth diapers, the first in our generation, but it was easy and safe and made us all feel wonderful about this extra step we where taking. But as Johnny gets older and larger I have found myself falling onto the ease of disposables, but when we got the amazing Global Fluffy Bum diaper I was so excited and it re motivated me!!! It was so much fun! The first day we got the diaper was just a normal day of playing around the house and getting into trouble. Climbing on the dinning room table, begging for a cookie or drink, throwing the pillows off the couch so he can jump on them, and carrying around Elmo. All around just a normal day.

The second day we had the diaper we went to visit Grams and Pops, who thankfully live only 30 minutes away. This is a special but not uncommon outing. This is the house Johnny came home to after he was born (his Daddy was serving in Iraq so Mommy stayed with her parents till he came back, two months after Johnny was born)It is amazing to see when Pops holds Johnny and he isn't wearing pants, just how big our 18 month old really is! Grams always has a special treat or two.Johnny's big cousin Ella was at PreK and comes to Grams and Pops house after school till her Mommy and Daddy get home from work and Johnny loves it when she gets home, so he waits patently.We took advantage of having the diaper to share it with Johnny's newest cousin, Samantha, Two months old. Who also stays with Grams and Pops while her parents are at work. She is just so cute and sweet!

The last day we had the diaper actuality accrued about a week later as I procasted and waited for a sunny day to take Johnny outside. We are proudly a military family. Johnny's Daddy has been in the Army for 6 years and moved us around many times. So we thought we thought it would be fitting for Johnny to take the Global Fluffy Bum to the tanks and Ordinance Museum here on post. He like the chance to run around the tanks and climb on them, though not to high.Again I just want to thank everyone involved with the Global Fluffy Bum to allowing us to be involved and I think it is an amazing program!

Check out Jennifer, Johnny and their adventures at their blog.

Too Cute Tobin

Tobin and I (Julia of Shobers in the Catskills) were glad to take part in the Global Fluffy Bum project! We were also lucky to receive a brand new Blueberry diaper which replaced the bumGenius that had been going around the USA. Super and sparkling, I was excited to try the blueberry out as a cover. We also just received a bunch of new prefolds from my aunt! Perfect timing.

Although the diaper arrived during a not-so-exciting point in our lives, we were happy to take it out for our every day routines. First, Tobin took it around the living room a bit.

Then we were off to play group, where someone brought a big zebra to play with. Though all the mommies were excited to have the zebra around, none of the babies seemed too keen. Tobin rubbed nose to butt with the zebra. That's about the most love the poor guy got!

Later on, we went outside to play in the grass. Tobin's been loving the outdoors this summer! At least those days we actually CAN get out he's enjoying! Lately, the sun has been shining and the humidity has stayed away, so we're in heaven. This particular day - the grass was in major need of being mowed. All the better to pull on!

Inside again, Tobin had his first taste of purely o's! He wasn't too sure about them that day, but has come to love them now!

The next day, we went over to babysit (play for him!) a couple of older kids, and Tobin crawled around them trying to get their toys. Here, he was allowed to play with a hot pink flying ring. Good enough for him!

Finally, my boy decided to help me by unfolding laundry. Always appreciated! Well, maybe one day he'll learn to fold it. A mom can dream...

Then it was time to wash & dry the diaper...get ready to send it off. Poor thing sat in my car waiting to go off to the next recipients for WAY too long, though! My long 50 hour work week did not lend to getting to the post office. Oh well...fortunately, Hally has been very understanding, and I hope the next mom & baby are too.

Thanks, Julia & Tobin! We love seeing such awesome pics of the diaper out & about.

Off to MD...

5 Participants?

Only 5 of you?!?!?!

Anyone else want to be added on for a second run with the diaper if you already have a post this past year?

New Wrap, New List, Newbies Welcome!

Hello Everyone,

Due to popular demand the diaper is taking longer than expected to make the rounds. I'm trying to consolidate the participants and rather than organize by region, I'm now going to take requests for participants in the order they are received.

If you are on the list and would still like to participate, just reply to me (not all) with your mailing name/email. Anyone no longer interested, need not reply. (I know some of your babies are now potty trained!)

Thanks again for all the amazing participants and great turnout. I'm hoping the next edition of the Fluffy Bum can make it even further!

Hally

ps. If you have any CD'g friends, please pass along the info! We'd love to have 'em on the list.

Fall/Winter 2009 Participants:

Denise C. , TN - *CONFIRMED*
Andrea C. , PA - *CONFIRMED*
Becca P., LA - *CONFIRMED*
Bonnie S, CA - *CONFIRMED*
Jennifer B., MD
Chelsea H. IN
Kylie G., IN
Beth O., IN
Anne S., IN
Aileen L., IN
Jill L. , OH
Jennifer F. WI
Jennifer C., PA
Amanda R., IN
Ashely M. , IL
Emily D., OH
Laura M, KY
Sue O., CA
Mary Beth R., NC
Serena O., NJ
Kristina M., NY
Paula C., PA
Kirsty F., Enfield, Middx, UK
Sandra R., Sabah, Malaysia

Washing that pee right outta here...(a la 'South Pacific)

I'm gonna wash that pee....right outta here. I'm gonna wash that pee...right outta here and send it on its waaaaaaayyyyyy!

(Cloth Diaper Carnival II)

Alright. I'm a terrible singer, but I thought it was catchy.

Wash routines vary greatly and I think that's a good thing. We all live in different areas and with varying degrees of water/soap availability. And what works for some types of dipes won't work for others.

I've become addicted to Rockin' Green (see sidebar) , but it's quite the indulgence. I'm thinking that a friend and I may split the price and share a bag!

I have a pretty predictable/regular kid so our 'dirties' aren't all that dirty. Our typical wash is every other day with a cold rinse/hot wash/cold rinse. I add the detergent to the wash cycle. In the event that I don't have the RG soap, I use Kirkland (Costco) brand Environmentally Friendly soap. I line dry with a 20 minute dry cycle if needed. (my hemp inserts take the longest)

Here's the kicker...my stain solution kicks butt! (ha...kicks butt...I'm funny, see?!) If you have a set in stain, wash like usual. THEN, BEFORE DRYING squeeze a raw lemon onto the stain and set out in the sunshine. Wash again and check stain. Repeat as necessary. Then dry once the stain is removed. When my microfibers get the stink...or my hard water adds too much buildup (sidenote: this has not happened since I used the RG) I add a scoop of water softener and a splash of vinegar or bleach.

I didn't think I'd like line drying. It's so archaic to me, but there's something methodical about spending the 10 minutes to hang things on the line. And maybe (just like my grandmother said, but don't tell her that I agree) 'Laundry line time, is good thinkin' time.'

Hope this helps anyone who's having troubles! Comment, ping, or join us on the CD Carnival!

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Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…

Boo, I'm lame....here is the link to DDL where all the cool kids are!

New Wrap in NY!

The Global Fluffy Bum arrived to my home on Saturday Aug 1. We didn’t check the mail until late that night since we were out, so my son didn’t get to wear it until Sunday. The first thing he did in the diaper was crawl around the living room. He had just started crawling the previous week. He got tired, so he took a nap. When he woke up he played some more!
Monday was not a good day for the diaper. We washed it and washed it. Long story short, the diaper was stained. Tuesday we wanted to use the diaper again. We went out and about, first to the Farmer’s Market to buy some fresh veggies and fruits. YUMMY. We had lunch and then went shopping at a few more stores. Fletcher wasn’t too happy about that. The last thing we did that day was go to the local community center to volunteer. Fletcher played on the ground while I helped out the old ladies who were sewing pillowcases for the hospital. Then we went home and relaxed. Wednesday was the last day we used the diaper. At this point I knew the stain wasn’t coming out and began working hard to find a way to replace the diaper. Thanks so much to Mom’s Milk Boutique and Smarty Pants for agreeing to provide a new cover and embroider it. This say was another pretty boring day. Fletcher and I played outside in the backyard. He loves grabbing grass and trying to eat it. What can I say, he is only 8.5 months old! I talked on the phone to Softbums about a video cloth diaper review and I am really excited about that! After that Fletcher came in and used the potty so we had to take the diaper off. Later, we went out with a friend to Target. Fletcher and his girlfriend played outside of the fitting room while he showed off his Fluffy Bum! The journey ended for the GFB for good after one last ditch effort to wash and sun and wash and sun etc. This is probably the last picture of the GBF in its current form. How fitting that it should be hanging in the pit of my basement. My husband saw this picture and said it looks like where Ecoli was born. Possibly. Despite the difficulties with the diaper we are glad to have participated. We are sad that we killed the diaper but happy to have been able to find a solution that may work even better than the previous GFB. Thanks to Halley for being so understanding as well! I hope the next families all enjoy their time with the GFB

http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/the-story-of-the-cursed-cloth-diaper/

40+ babies' bums = new cover

Everyone,

With over 40 kids covered by the Global Fluffy Bum 08 version, the diaper is a little dirty. A new sponsor has donated an one size diaper cover to be embroidered with the logo.

I'm wondering if now is a good time to switch the title of the blog/address over to the new one while we can archive this one?

Thoughts?

Here's the lastest sponsor:

Mom's Milk Boutique

Please thank her for her diaper donation!

Happy Summer!
Hally

Giveaway from CDB

From Cloth Diaper Blog :

Looking to try it out cloth? Here's a chance for 3 Bum Genius and a pair of Baby Legs. Just leave a comment on their site to enter!

Good Luck!

Hally

Travelling Day and interim post

Today the diaper is en route.

So on the topic of living greener...

I am convinced in the summertime that kids grow like weeds. Their legs get longer, their skin gets darker, hair lightens and they are in a state of constant motion. Awake they are powered by photosynthesis and popsicles. When they are finally (FINALLY) still, they sleep deeply and grow an inch. My boys are entertained this summer by:

• playing outside in their Spiderman sprinkler (best $12 bucks spent this summer)
• bug catching
• riding bikes
• water painting with food dye colored tap water
• riding bikes
• building forts & teepees out of old bed sheets and clothespins
• digging in their garden
• making their own volcanoes (with 'real' hot lava)
• riding bikes
• washing the dog
• did I mention they like to ride bikes?

So in the spirit of things that entertain kids outside, but are free (almost free) and let them just be kids....chime in with your summer ideas for kids.

Cloth Diaper Carnival

From a Cloth Diapering Blogger Board here's a Discussion Prompt:

What do you wish you knew then that you know now? Meaning, now that are have experienced cloth first hand, what would you have told yourself when you first started or before you started?

Umm...everything!?!?


- Okay, honestly I wish that I would have known that it's okay to ask questions and not feel guilty about buying used.
- That buying a sample stash off Craigslist is a great way to try different types of diapers and see what works best for your diapering style and your baby. (ie. thick thighs, long waisted, etc)
- That CD'g is SO NOT what your mother/grandmother used to do, but you know what? (sssshhhhh...don't tell, but they are right about it being easier than I thought)
- That it is way cheaper than I thought.
- That my kids don't get nearly as many diaper rashes.
- That it's SUPER easy to corrupt, I MEAN, convince friends to try it. And then they are CD'g too.
- That husbands will try it, like it, if you make it easy for 'em. (stuffing the pockets already, lining the dipes already, etc) ps...it helps if you lay out the cost savings too!
- That CD'g moms on blogs are happy to help, answer questions, chat and pass along information. They're generally a good bunch!
- That DiaperSwappers can scare the beegeezus outta you if you let it.
- Not all baby's booties were meant for the teeny tiny 'boutique-y' diapers that cost $40 a pop.
- My baby loves me no matter what kinda diaper I put on his bum.

I'm sure there's more, but this is a good start!
Hally

Little Ones Take Fluff to Lowell, MA

The diaper got here Friday evening and Saturday morning we put it on my 18 month old son, Brennan and off we went! We took the diaper to Lowell, MA which was founded as a manufacturing center for textiles. Many immigrants came to Lowell to work in the textile mills. It was also Folk Festival weekend here, so there was plenty to see and do. We took a few pictures near some of the historical features: the canal-which led water to the turbines in the mill to power the looms, the clock tower-which dictated the life of the mill workers, the entrance to the Boot Mill Courtyard, Sculpture One—the silhouette of Francis Cabot Lowell (the textile manufacturer for which the city is named) and a cobblestone street.

Then we played in a Trolley themed playground, both kids had a great time climbing and sliding down the “trolley.” Next we toured the old engine, Boston and Maine No. 410 built in 1911. Both my kids are fascinated by trains so this and the trolley were the highlights of our trip. Finally we rode the trolley. Lowell has 3 working trolley cars which transport you across the city the way they did it before buses.

Before heading for home, we watched part of a jester show and stopped by an area where kids can play “drums” made of recycled materials. Brennan had a great time making noise.

When we got back home, my daughter Cecily, who is day time potty trained, put the diaper on for “rest time.”

We had a great “diaper” day.

Amy, Cecily (3) & Brennan (18 mo)

Thanks, Amy & Kids!!! What a great trip for the Fluffy Bum.

The diaper stays on the Eastern Coast and heads to NY next.

Babies in Barrington, NH

Well, we went to the park and library. Madeline is now pottty trained since the fluffy bum started so she put the diaper on her favorite doll for a while or held it on the swing. Our new baby (born 5/6/09, and part of the reason it took me so long to do this, along with having surgery 4 weeks postpartum) wore the diaper at the park while she watched Madeline swing. At the library I had Hannah in our new Beco and read Madeline a book while her doll (Sarah) wore the diaper. We had loads of fun and made sure to show the librarian the diaper too! Here are some pictures.

Andrea

Andrea & Girls,

Thanks for participating and here's hoping that you continue to recover well!

Off to PA!

Hally

Working on it

Dear Participants,
There are two diapers in rotation:

1) the domestic diaper is visiting a mom who recently had surgery and is trying to get to the post office ASAP.

2) the international diaper is wrapping up a long visit in Canada and should be on the way to Malaysia soon.

I hope there's an easier/faster way to keep the diaper going, but I'm at a loss as to how.

All the best,
Hally

Still Stuck

I'm thinking we may have hit the biggest snag to date.

I'm SO sorry guys, but I'm trying my best to get the diapers moving again. The international diaper is currently crossing Canada and headed to Ontario.

As always, I'll keep you posted when I know more.

:(

Thanks for hanging in there.

Hally

Diapers are stuck

Boo.

Both of our diapers are in limbo. Sorry guys.

I know it's a bummer, but I'll keep you posted as soon as I know more.

Happy Summer.

Hally

Diaper in Dunbarton

Here in Dunbarton, NH, there isn't a whole lot to do but lots get done! We tried to go to the state captiol in Concord, a short 15 minute drive but 2 year old Jonah had vastly different plans.

We took the diaper to the 100th birthday of our town hall. The building was designed by Jonah's great-great uncle Jim. It held some classes that his grandfather, my father, attended as a young boy. During my school days, the town hall was used for functions, school plays, Santa visits, ballet recitals and elementary school graduation. It is now the town library where Jonah will go for story time when he is old enough.

The birthday "cake" is in front of the town hall along with memorials for the town men lost who were lost during the different wars.

Jonah enjoyed smelling the flowers.

Thanks,

Cindy & Jonah

What a great visit! Glad to hear that you guys were able to enjoy some sunshine days in just a diaper.

Day in the sun

While our Fluff has arrived safely in New Hampshire it needs a little freshening up, so the mom is going to add a wash cycle prior to wearing and a little sunshine time.

Meanwhile, my family is taking a mini vacation and I'll be off line for a couple of days.

The diaper should be ready to travel upon my return and I'm hoping it will move quicker.

Thanks,
Hally

Spring Day in Maine

Hi Global Fluffy Bum Followers!

My name is Jocelyn and I am 15 months old. I live in South Portland, Maine. My mommy and I were really excited to participate in the Global Fluffy Bum! I thought it would be fun to show everyone what Maine is all about!We started the day early. I put on my sandals, left the house and got into my car seat ready for an exciting day of Fluffy travel!

First we had to stop at the Maine Mall so mommy could get a coffee!

We have lots of moose here in Maine, but since it'd be hard to find one in the wild we headed to Len Libby's Candies where we met Lenny the Chocolate Moose! This is a life sized moose made from chocolate!! (That's 1,700 pounds of chocolate!) I really liked his little bear friends.

I also found another thing Maine is known for! We call this a Wicked Big Lobstah!In Maine we have lots of lighthouses, but since our coast is 3,500 miles long there's no way we could get to them! So we visited some from the Parade of Lighthouses which is an event that was done before I was born, but a lot of businesses still have them on display.

Next we drove up to Freeport where we stopped for some lunch before going to LL Bean. Look at the size of that boot!

Freeport is also home to the Big Indian Statue. He's over 50 feet tall!!

Wow! That was a lot of traveling for a baby & her diaper!

After we got home I had some time to enjoy the nice weather in the backyard.

And before leaving us the diaper got washed and hung in the beautiful Maine sunshine!

Thanks for such a fun day!

Thank you Jocelyn and Mommy for such a great post about spring days in Maine.
Our diaper is headed to New Hampshire next so stay tuned.

Hally