Does Your Son Talk?!?!?!

After my son was born it took me a week to decipher his cries. I know his "pick me up" cry from his "I'm hungry" cry from his "get this diaper off of me now" cry. When he started making noise I even understood his made up words and new what they meant. We have never really had a problem communicating with each other. I have been told that Awesome does not talk like a three year old. I was worried for a minute because I thought maybe since I'm around him the most I had missed something. Maybe my understanding of "Aaronenes" made me unable to notice that there was a problem. At his 36 month appointment his pediatrician assured me that Awesome A was on the right track I felt better, but I still did a little research. Awesome A communicates with his dad and I efficiently and effectively for his age in my opinion; however, Awesome A doesn't communicate the same with others the way he communicates with my husband and I. It's even communicates with me differently than he does with his dad.

A few days ago I sat down and made a list of all the words Awesome A knows. I looked at my list of 400+ words and was satisfied. The average three year old knows 350 words and Awesome just three last month. He knows numbers, body parts, colors, names of animals, and a little psychological terminology (sometimes the stories I make up involve topics I read about in a psychology textbook or journal). I understand him the majority of the time (he sometimes makes up words) and he understands when I tell him things (even though he doesn't always listen).

My son is a lot like my husband and I. When I was younger I did not talk to others like I talked to my immediate family. As an adult I'm pretty much the same. I'm an introvert who can fake extrovertism really well. My husband is not much of a talker either. I guess we're just a quiet family, but I have a feeling Bunny will be the exception. 

Cloth Diapers 101: Why I chose to cloth diaper

I started researching cloth diapers right after I had my son, but did not receive a many positive responses from friends and family members when I told them about my "bright idea". I gave up the idea until one day I was changing Awesome A and his bottom was covered in little crystals. These crystals were from the diaper and I Googled to find out exactly what kind of substance had made contact with my baby's skin. I found out that disposable diapers contain sodium polyacrylate, a powder that turns into gel-like crystals when it absorbs liquid. Although this chemical is non-toxic it can cause mild to severe skin irritation and can cause mild respiratory problems with sodium polyacrylate is inhaled while in its powder form.
Some disposable diapers also contain dioxin, a toxin that has been linked to various reproductive, developmental and immune system issues.  

After finding out this information I searched for less toxic diaper  solution without transitioning to cloth diapers. That solution was a dye free unbleached diaper. These were not cute diapers and a case of these eco-friendly diapers cost about $44  for a case.  By the end of Awesome A's first year we had spent about $1200 on diapers and wipes. We are very thankful for family members and friends who shipped us diapers.  

When I became pregnant with Bunny I was dead set on cloth diapering. I researched and starting buying cloth diapers for my stash. I have been using cloth diapers for almost a year and I love them. I even use cloth training pants on Awesome A. I love having a cute non-toxic diapering option.`Cloth diapering works for me, but it's not for everyone. 

Spray Pal

So... there is a cloth diaper product that I've been eyeing for a while now. I've read review after review for this product and I'm still undecided. It's the Spray Pal, a splatter shield to use when spraying soiled diapers. It looks like a binder with a clipboard and I'm not sure it's really worth $25. I currently use flushable diaper liners, but sometimes I forget to put one in Bunny's diaper and that is usually when she has a blowout. I'm really considering purchasing this item. If any of you have used one or have another item or method for spraying diapers leave a comment.