Can You Guess What Made Liam Laugh Out Loud the First Time?

Our whole family just had a nice, restful weekend. It was blissful relaxing at home and not setting any ambitious goals for a change. I even got a chance to organize all the files on my new computer: one of those things you always mean to do when you have free time and regret not doing later when you get busy. It was surprisingly a lot of fun, I laughed a lot and was thrilled to find a few pictures that had either been lost or forgotten!

Although a few people will think I'm crazy and urged me not to do this, I did go ahead and try cloth diapers. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm stubborn. Once I set my mind on something, I will move forward with my plans until I determine my own opinion on the matter. I think a lot of the people discouraging my cloth diaper trial haven't seen any in at least 15 years, and have bad memories of nasty water pails and pricking their babies with pins. I look forward to introducing them to the modern way.

I ordered some BumGenuis 3.0 diapers that are rated very highly by many cloth diaper users I know. I got the one-size, that grow with a child and generally fit most babies from around 7-35 pounds (most people say 8-30). I don't know if they will really last Liam until potty training, but either way they seemed a lot more economical and practical to me rather than buying new sets of sizes since he grows so fast. The only downside is at least on older versions the elastic did start going out over time. I'm being careful to dry the outer layer on lower heat, removing them, then drying the liners separately on high (they take forever to dry because they are so absorbent, and in case any of you are concerned they are not the part that touches a baby's skin). Bumgenius does have a 1-year warranty and will replace diapers if the elastic fails and they were taken care of properly. Here is Liam showing off the color Twilight. He has six different colors, and also white.

First impressions, they actually work great! He gave them a great test and pooped in one within the first hour. No leaks, bad smells, anything at least so far (the night is the ultimate test though!). When they get dirty, you just put them in your diaper pail, Genie, or Champ like disposables (though most people use a cloth liner they just throw in the wash) and then just wash them at least every other day. If they get a poo stain, sunlight is supposed to magically remove it. They are nice and soft, super easy to use, and he seemed happy in them. The only problem was after I took off the second one off, I noticed he had this horrible rash! It was worse than anything he had with disposables. It appears he was sensitive to the detergent I used, since I bought some just for the diapers. (Side note: with cloth diapers not just any detergent will do, you have to find something free of many common ingredients to avoid irritation, and also to avoid a build up that will negatively effect your diapers.) At least it wasn't that expensive, and I can use it now for something else instead. He is back in disposables for now, as I'm doing my research. I'm planning to try another detergent as well.

Last night, Liam wore his Steelers outfit for their play-off game in honor of his Great-Grandpa Bill (we called and told him). Here he is, watching the game a bit:
Our TV is only out during football season in our house generally, so it moves all around (now in the dining room)
After the game, I gave Liam a bath. He is really loving his baths these days, and has figured out how to splash in the water! It's so cute, I'll have to get a video of it. He makes fists and pounds down, and also kicks his legs around. Michael was in the room to see this, and while I was washing his little bum he let out this big laugh for the first time! It was so cute! It totally made me laugh too. Of all things to make him laugh the first time!

Finally, here are a few other pictures as well. I cannot believe he's already 10 weeks old now. The weeks just keep rolling right along.

Daddy helping him sit up