This week my sweet little family of 7 1/2 will pack into our Toyota Sienna mini-van and drive a total of 2,892 miles in a span of 6 days.
Just a short little trip.
It’s going to be an adventure to say the least. But, my sister’s wedding is a can’t-miss-event.
Sure, it will be miserable (28-29wks pregnant, 5 kids stuck in car seats for 4 days of solid driving, limited food options thanks to Celiacs) BUT we will see lots of family and witness a beautiful wedding!
And during all this I will have my huge stash of cloth diapers.
I learned a valuable lesson during our move 2 months ago. Using Flip disposable inserts is just as much, if not more, work than using full cloth.
How, you ask?
Every poop…and don’t you know, every time you don’t want your kid to poop they go 4 times a day… means having to dispose of a nasty insert and feces PLUS you have a soiled cover. Now you have laundry which is what you were trying to avoid.
Then you also have bunching issues which can lead to leaks. If you were to cheat you might as well get a pack of disposable diapers. Which I shamefully resorted to after going through every cover I had.
Having enough cloth diapers (and wet bags) for a 6 day trip and the days leading up to and after means I finally have a justifiable reason for having a huge stash of cloth diapers. I will not be doing any laundry during this trip so I will need everything I have.
And did I mention that I’m the Matron of Honor and my 2 girls are in the wedding? This means my husband will be taking care of 3 very high maintenance boys (I think perhaps all 8, 3, and 21m old boys are this way.) by himself. That includes dressing them for a wedding.
I feel bad for Michael as he is giving up A LOT to get us to the wedding and back. He is in the middle of his first semester of seminary and you’d pass out if I told you all he is required to do on a daily basis. It’s a crud-load of reading, writing and studying. Now I’m feeling overwhelmed with love and guilt.
Our husbands really do love us, huh?
Needless to say, I’ll be saving Ragababe AIOs for him. Doesn’t get any easier and better than a Ragababe.
On Wednesday (and Thursday, Sunday and Monday) pray pray pray for our family to have safe travels!! I’m one of those freaky moms that’s always envisioning some horrid accident happening…I’m sure I’m alone in that.
I hope that I have nothing but happy stories to come back and share with you! And some funny ones too! No leaky diaper ones though because I think poop on my dress would push me over the edge.
I’m not anxious at all about this trip! Can’t ya tell??!
For more information on why using disposable diapers is not the best choice check out these articles:
Are Disposable Diapers Really That Bad?
This Is Why We Use Cloth Diapers!
The 5 Ws of Cloth Diapers (why? who? where? when? what the heck do I buy?)
Autumn is a wife, mother, homeschool teacher, friend and most important a follower of Christ.
Irene says
I CD’d my youngest daughter all week on summer holidays a couple years back. I’m guessing she was 1.5 because she PT’d at about 2. I used fitteds so I just filled my diaper pail with cleans, unpacked and stuck the pail in the corner for dirties all week and then took it all back home. My husband thought I was nuts but he totally doesn’t get the CD thing and he wasn’t there for most of the week anyway (working). Despite the fact that there is no AC in the cottage the pail honestly didn’t smell much at all! I was impressed. Although I did keep it in the main living area rather than a bedroom or the bathroom as they have NO air circulation. And we weren’t gassed out on the 3 hour trip home, either. Just remembered, I used disposables at night though. I couldn’t CD her at night, as there was too much ammonia build-up when I took it off. Made my eyes water and left a frightful rash that took most of the day to disappear only to repeat…?
Keep in mind, diaper services often only pick-up/deliver once a week. Yes it is harder on the diapers in the long term and probably a greater chance of stains, but it is doable.
Jay says
Sooo how many days will that be without washing? Will you do anything special to make sure they’re clean since it will be more than 2-3 days?
Autumn Beck says
I washed Tuesday then not again until the next Tuesday. I did add a 1/4 cup of bleach for safe measure. To do this I watered it down then added it to my bleach dispenser.
Krista C. says
We found the same thing. I’d rather just use cloth. It’s so much easier. Funny that I say cloth is easier, I know, but I really feel that way now. Disposing of trash is such a hassle.
However… the one time I DO use disposables is when there will be no where to wash the diapers. It’s hard to get them clean when those warm diapers have been building up a stink in a wet bag for 6 days! I usually wash every 2-3 days, mostly because I run out but also because they get VERY smelly and hard to clean after that. Do you think this will be an issue?
Sherri Smith says
Oy! I’d be scared to go that long without washing. Praying for your trip!
mommy.rezwife says
Good luck! You can do it. And if it makes you feel better…my husband is a surgery resident. He works 100 hours a week on a good week taking care of people who are actively dying all the meanwhile also preparing for weekly presentations, reading about 10 hours of materials a week in preparation for conferences plus the added reading of preparing for each surgery. And he has a 10 day old at home with a 3 year old. you guys will be FINE; ake lots of pictures! many memories to be had at wonderful family events even if you’ve got to arrive with the windows rolled down to air out all the poop:)
tarin says
How many diapers are you taking, Autumn?
Autumn Beck says
about 45. i’d rather have too many than run out!
Jamie says
I just came back from a tirp where we drove 1250 mi to get there stayed a few days drove 800 more miles and then reversed the process. I have a 2.5 yr old and an 11 mo old by my self. I sucessfully used cloth the whole time we were gonr for the 2 weeks. I found it easier to change diapers in the car since I didnt need to carry the diaper around and find a garbage. I have a sienna too and I like to have the front seats together and change in the space left on the side. It is perfect. And probably cleaner then the bathrooms but we used thoes too. On the way home me car was a bit stinky but we just had some windows open. We did wash a few times when were at familys house. You can do it.
Lisa says
I don’t think it’s shameful or cheating to cut yourself and your family some slack every once in awhile. Sometimes it seems like moms are way too critical of themselves (and other moms) whether it be about cd’ing, bf’ing, potty training, work status, what the family eats, education, and all things family related (which is everything!). I wish you and your family safe travels and hope you all enjoy the time together as you celebrate your sister’s marriage. God bless.
Kyna says
Have a safe trip! :) I used to use cloth on trips but, now use 7th generation diapers. Cloth is better but, these are not so bad. I don’t feel so guilty using them. LOL
Aracely says
Praying for a safe, fun, and memorable trip!
Athena says
Sending good vibes and many blessings Autumn. This will be a trying but very rewarding trip that will go in the memory books for your family. Can’t wait for the stories.
Ellie says
Have a safe trip and a great time!
Caitlin says
I hope you have a safe trip and enjoy the time with your family! I’m sure they know the work it takes to get your family there and appreciate it so very much! I would also like to add that your husband does love you very much–what a great guy! Just out of curiosity, what all are you bringing on your trip–how many diapers etc. ?
Autumn Beck says
Camden probably only uses 6-7 a day, I’m taking about 45.