The Cloth Diaper Whisperer's Husband Loves Ebay

Ladies and gents, I really like (LOVE) ebay.

What started as an online trading site for PEZ Dispenser collectors has in a very short time evolved into what can best be described as the world's largest garage sale!

Got a gift that you don't want to regift...put it on ebay. Looking for Rudy the Robot from 1969, check out ebay. Want to comparison shop for an item, and see the range of prices others are paying for an item you saw in the department store...research it on ebay.

As a cheapskate at heart I go on to look for bargains on things that I can't find at a traditional brick and mortar store. Recently, my wife Kelly mentioned the need to replace her favorite jeans. These were not just any jean, they were a discontinued levis low slouch, type 1 button fly, buckle back jean in size :). I gave some thought to my search terms, and ventured off on my ebay safari. Low and behold, within a week I had 3 pairs headed our way!

We live in a 18th century farm house. As such, I insist that all the furnishings must be comensurate with the period of the home +-40 years. Where do you turn to find a 1700's writing chair? ebay! In the case if the chair, I wound up winning the auction paying 1/10th of what the chair would normally cost. The bad news, I had to shlep from Maine, to Long island, NY taking backroads, and a hairy Ferry ride to pick it up! But I got it boy!

I have seen nooks and crannies of the northeast, and New England in particular, that I never knew existed. I've met some great, folks, and a few colorful characters. I've gotten stares from folks on the road as I motor passed with my latest quarry lashed to the roof of my car. Each and every adventure is different, but they all culminate in that sense of excitement when the item you ordered arrives in the mail (like cloth diapers!!), or you drive to pick up an item, and it exceeds your expectations.

Like the stock exchange, the auction at ebay provides the widest assortment of items imaginable, at prices set by what we the market will bear.

Happy ebay,

Scott

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer's Husband Loves Ebay

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Mr.Whisperer's Diapering 101

Hi Ladies!

Grab your hubby, boyfriend, or significant other. This post is dedicated to a "guy's point of view" for first time cloth diapering Dads!"

Written by: Scott Wels - The Cloth Diaper Whisperer's Husband and new diapering Dad!

Guys it has happens to all of us. You’re watching the big game, intent on seeing your team take the win, when a muffled voice from the distance can be heard. You have no idea what was said, yet your survival instinct kicks in, and in an instant you reply in agreement. Ahhhhh…crisis averted, all is good again with the world…now back to the game.

It is not until several months later, when the outcome of the big game, not to mention what you agreed to that night, had faded into the abyss of dim recollect that you are reminded of your agreement. Over dinner your partner reminds you that she clearly remembers, and even recalls the enthusiasm you displayed when asked this important, life changing question….”I think we should----fill in the blank-----“.

Fellas, the question posed to me when we found out we were pregnant, when my mind was otherwise engaged on something other than diapers was “you want to cloth diaper our baby, don’t you?” To be honest, not even Alex Trebek would consider this statement as being in the form of a question. In fact many scholars would argue that my answer didn’t really count because of this simple technicality? Plus the fact that I was not really paying attention to the question, much less my answer, in my opinion voids the discussion entirely.

WRONG! Take it from me guys, this tactic was a loosing strategy especially when it was related back to me over the course of the remaining months of our pregnancy how I enthusiastically and emphatically answered “Yes…Absolutely!” (no longer my standard answer by the way!).

Although I had no Idea what I was answering, what I committed to, nor how this answer, seemingly insignificant at the time, would for the last weeks of our pregnancy be the fear haunting my nights, like COL Kurtz’ vision of a disoriented snail.

Ultimately, the day arrives…the big day…that day D-Day!. No, not the beautiful, emotion filled day that your cherished child enters the world. I mean about 4 or 5 days later when your partner, exhausted from delivering, breast feeding, no sleep, and running on emotion and sheer adrenalin crashes, and asks if you can do her a solid, and change the baby’s diapers. D-Day has arrived… Diaper Daddy Day!

Still clueless as to your commitment 9.25 months before, you bring your beautiful child to the bassinet, reach where the pile of disposable diapers should be, only to be confronted the reality of a rainbow of Velcro and Snap covered cloth diapers with cute names, “Fuzzi Bunz”, “Happy Heiny's”, “Rumpsters”. It’s up to you big guy, remove the soiled diaper, and replace it with a fresh clean cloth diaper. Are you up for the mission???

For a moment you consider going to the Army Navy store to buy a gas mask, and a chemical protective suit. The baby cries, and you are brought back to the stark reality that you are about to tackle your biggest fear, head on….and bare handed!

You stare at the open diaper, the screaming bundle of joy, and the stack of clean cloth diapers. Paralyzed with fear, not knowing what to do next, you panic, instinct forces you to accept defeat with honor by defaulting to you’re your fall back position…playing dumb!

In my case I called for help from my wife Kelly. I asked for a quick demonstration on the safe method for securing and removing the M1-A1 cloth baby diaper. Like a drill sergeant from my past, she taught me in the kind of step by step in detail even a 3 year old would understand. She explained how to position the baby over the folded over soiled diaper, cleanse our baby with reusable cloth wipes, and installation of a new diaper. Finally she performed a function check… ready for action! Then it was my turn! Gulp…here goes, with beads of sweat, and shaky hands (I’ve defused bombs with less anxiety!) I gave it a shot. A little shaky, but I got the nod of approval from Kell…Good to GO!

Although I’ll never admit this to the boys, this whole cloth diaper thing is a lot easier than I thought it would be. Not only that it is far more economical as well. The best part, the money we save, and the “points” I earn by being a good dad, and devoted partner may earn me a “pass” next time I want to head to Vegas for a weekend with the boys!

Next time: “You want to put what in my washer!”

Mr.Whisperer's Diapering 101

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