7 Quick Takes Friday (91)

--- 1 ---

Last night was the 8th grade graduation.  This year's 8th grade is an amazing class.  Eighteen young adults that are hardworking, compassionate, and faithful.  They're all good friends, are incredibly respectful, and great school leaders.  This is my first year teaching, but I could even tell this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of class.  It makes me so sad to know that they are going to be split up among many public high schools (there are no Catholic high schools in our area) and that they'll have the face the pressures that come along yet, but these kids are so grounded and have such a great foundation.  I think there may even be a future priest in their midst.  It was such a blessing to have taught this class my first year and I know I'm always going to remember this sweet group of kids.  Will you join me in saying a prayer for them?

--- 2 ---

After I wrote this post yesterday about our summer plans, I found out that we didn't actually sign Lucia up for swim lessons.  Our online registration didn't go through.  She wasn't signed up for gymnastics either, but that wasn't full yet and got her registered yesterday.  We're wait listed for swim lessons though.  Boo.
 

--- 3 ---

If you've ever had issues with body image, you may want to check out the book review Patty wrote for me about a book she's reading on the topic.  It's definitely on my wish list.  And speaking of wish lists, Sparkly Green Earrings finally became available on my PaperbackSwap wish list and I'm so looking forward to it arriving.

 

--- 4 ---

David and I had an amazing time at the wedding of my childhood friend last weekend! I've known her since I was born (she was nine days old at the time) and although we haven't been as close in recent years, it meant so much to be there for her.  I was tearing up the entire wedding and much of the reception too.  It was especially nice that my parents, brother, and his girlfriend were there as well.

--- 5 ---

What is your favorite movie? I have a few favorites including "Boondock Saints", "Schindler's List", and "Pirates of the Caribbean".  I know, kind of all over the place.  They each have their place and time.  If I really think about it, I probably could tell you another 20 or so of my favorite movies.  (As I'm writing this, "Hunger Games" and "The King's Speech" also came to mind.)  Anyway, any suggestions of what we have to see this summer?  "Silver Linings Playbook" is on my list.  (And the first season of Downton Abbey.)

--- 6 ---

Headed to auntie's house with the necessities: purse, obnoxious headband, & duck that says "Happy Easter".

My Lucia Rose will be 18 months next week.  Where has time gone?  She has such a personality, is full of kissed and cuddles, says about a hundred words (no, seriously, not exaggerating), and throws herself down in fits of rage when she doesn't get her way.  She's darling.  Even those tantrums are so cute that we have to stop ourselves from smiling and laughing when she does it.  We are so blessed.

--- 7 ---

Me & my baby, ladies in purple.  Totally unintentional.  Nana dressed Lulu while I got dressed.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Summer Plans

Yesterday was my last day of teaching for the school year.  Although school doesn't end until tomorrow and I'll be going in for a bit to clean and organize my classroom, all my grades are in and I'm effectively done with my first year of teaching.

I'm going to be really honest and admit that I'm a bit nervous about being home full-time this summer.  I'm excited, I've always wanted to stay home with Lucia but it's always harder than I expect.  I don't get much done when we're home all day, so I'm making some plans and goals to keep us busy and get a lot done.  Here are some of the things on the docket this summer:

With the Tot 

• Signed up for "mommy and me" gymnastics and swimming for the month of June at the city rec center.  Super curious as to what "gymnastics" for one-year-olds looks like.
• Just signed up for the library summer reading program for prereaders this morning.  I printed out the "reading log" with different literacy activities for us to do together.  If we complete all the activities on the log for June and July, we get a book at the end of each month!
• We're going to get back in the swing of going to the library story time.  
• Also just printed out the schedule for the traveling storyteller in the park.  And the Tuesday night outdoor family shows.  Can you tell we love our local library?  (Thanks, Cat for the inspiration!)
• There is a really cute small farm/petting zoo nearby that I think Lucia would love.
• My parents are dying to take Lulu on the miniature train at one of our local parks.  
• We have an awesome park around her with those spraying water play area things. I kind of think she may not like it, but we shall at least try.
• Put a lot of effort into potty training.  She's tells us 90% of the time when she had to go #2 already so I'm hoping that if I'm home with her and she has that consistency, she'll do that with pee as well.
• Lots and lots of backyard time:

 

The Whole Family

• I'd really love to get to the zoo a few times this summer.  
• Family picnics and afternoon in the park sound lovely.
• There are so many free outdoor concerts in Northern Colorado.  I can't wait.
• I'm thinking we need to find a kid's helmet and seat to attach to our bikes.  I don't think I rode a bike once last summer and the summer before we only got a few rides in before the balance issues of pregnancy kicked in.   
  

Romance

• Have regular movie nights.  We used to love watching movies together but rarely have had time for them since moving here.  My parents have Netflix so we have a ton of movies at our fingertips. We just need to plan times to actually sit down and watch.
• Work out together.
• Sit outside in the evenings talking and having a drink and maybe dessert.  Just chillin' together.
  

Me

• My main "to do" is going through all Lulu's baby stuff, deciding what to keep, organizing it, and getting it stored away.  I'll be doing a lot of this will my sister-in-law since she'll be taking a lot for my niece.
• While I'm at it, I should probably tackle the clutter monster that lives in our room.  He has a particular affection for useless papers and tricks me into thinking they all are so very important.  
• Knit.  I learned to knit last year but it's been on the backburner for a while now and I want to actually make a complete project.  
• Learn to sew.  My parents gave me a sewing machine for Christmas that has still to see the outside of the box.  For my birthday they made me a "coupon" to get sewing lessons and I've been waiting until summer to start.  
• Read a chapter a day.  I have about 12 (not exaggerating) book that are in some state of completion and it's time that I actually finish a few.
• Now that I'm home, I have no excuse not to stay active and eat healthy.  I'm going to try to do a lot of "new" things in the kitchen, like make my own chicken stock and healthy energy bars.  And I bought a month of Bikram yoga on Groupon recently that I'm so ready to start!
• During the year, I didn't do as much couponing/sale shopping (maybe even garage saling!) because I simply didn't have time for it.  Now I do.  I'm going to save, save, save.  And probably make some things myself (like laundry detergent).
• I've been such a recluse this school year; I finally have time to spend with family and friends.
• I have a list of DIYs a mile long on Pinterest that I would like to do.  And tons of odds and ends craft supplies that I'd love to use up so I don't have to haul them around next time I move.
• Plan a baby shower for my sister-in-law.

There are a million other things I've been putting off for this summer and can't remember right now. We'll probably be helping my parents paint the house (the inside) as well.  And maybe we'll be moving.  Who knows?  

What are your summer plans?  

Any ideas of books I need to catch up on?   

Things that I have to do with a one-year-old?

Five Favorites (3)

This is my last teaching day of the school year!  I'm so excited because it means I get to spend the summer with my sweet girl.  I just had to share my five favorite photos of Lucia playing in our backyard last week!  Here's to more outdoor exploration by the curiouser and curiouser toddler. 

(1)

 (2)

 (3)

(4)

(5)

Linking up with Moxie Wife's Five Favorites. Hope you have a household of happy, healthy little ones soon, Hallie!

Guest Post: Body image, self-esteem, and Cravings

Unfortunately, many women struggle with issues related to body image, relationships with food, and self worth.  It's a reality of our society.  Despite stretch marks and extra fat, I've conquered many of my body image through having a baby and seeing what my body for what it can do and not for what it looks like.  But I still have my moments.  My sweet sponsor, Patty, is sharing what she's learned from a book she's currently reading, Cravings: A Catholic Wrestles with Food, Self Image, and God. 

__________

I have been seeing a lot in the ol' blog-o-sphere recently on body image type things.  And while I'm still working through my own version of the "skinny-ish vs. fat-ish" wars on the inside, I wanted to share with all you readers a new book I'm reading that is really helping me take good, hard look at my relationship with food, how that affects my relationship with God, etc.

I haven't yet finished the book, because I'm really trying to savor and digest (pun intended :) all this particular book is challenging me to.  But the reason for taking my time, is because I really want these concepts to sink into the deepest parts of my heart/mind/soul.

So here's the little gem I stumbled on...

As someone who has and still does struggle with my relationship to food and body image stuff, this book caught me eye; especially after recently reading Weightless by Kate Wicker too. (Check out Mandi's review of Weightless here.)

When I cracked the spine of this bad boy, and looked at the titles of the chapters, they really struck me, and as I began to read I LOVED the practical application/ideas at the end of each chapter and also the heart-felt, real stories of the author.  The titles include relevant ideas such as: "Dieting Delusion-Food is not the enemy" to "Feast or Famine-Changing attitudes towards how and why we eat."  I thought to myself as I was reading, "She gets this...Mary is someone who understands all too well the struggles many women face with self-esteem/body image stuff, etc."  I felt like Mary not only shared her personal struggles, but she was walking beside my through me own experience of the "skinny-ish vs. fat-ish" wars.

Here are my two favorite things I've come across in the first couple chapters of the book:

1. Mary refers to a story where she was mindlessly eating candy while being stressed about a particular situation.  She writes, "Not because I was hungry.  Not because the candy was particularly good.  BUT because there was a void in my life begging to be filled, and food is my go-to, all-purpose filler" (pg. 7).  Story. of. my. freaking. life! I'm an emotional eater, and have problems at times eating for no reason at all, because of stress, or just because I like to eat...hence my relationship with the fine establishment of Weight Watchers.  Sometimes I turn to food for comfort instead of finding ultimate fulfillment in the Lord, my husband, close friends, etc.  It's one thing to "get" this idea mentally, but another thing to really believe it in your heart...it's tough work, but a book like this certainly is a good tool in helping de-bunk bad habits.
2. This simple sentence made me want to jump off the couch and scream at the top of my lungs; okay, I over exaggerate, but for realz, it was quite striking.  Mary writes, "...food became the one thing I could have absolute say over" (pg.22).  I am a control freak; when things aren't organized or the way I like them or whatever, I flip out on the inside; it actually makes me anxious.  So as a young teen and even through to college, I felt like I could really have absolute control over my body my being exceptionally aware what I put into it.  No I never suffered from a full blown eating disorder, but my relationship with food was messed. up.  Still is in some ways, but mot as bad.  Let's just say when my parents began to grow concerned about my strict adherence to the Atkins diet, they told me no more.  I was devastated.  And how did I handle that?  By finding comfort in my old carb-a-licious desserts as I started working my first job at Panera and put back on all the old weight and then some.  In this one sentence, I am reminded, yet again, how having SUCH an extreme sense of control over my body/food really is not a very emotionally or spiritually healthy thing for me.

Whatever your relationship with/to food is or how however you feel towards your body, I think this is a gem of a book that can help inspire, empower, and encourage women in these issues.

Share below if you have read this book...what were some of the big things you took away from it?

If you haven't read this one yet, one are some of your favorite books/resources on issues related to this topic of food and self-image?

Wherever you are in your relationship with food and self-image, know and believe you that you CAN overcome the lies...you can beat the "skinny-ish vs.fat-ish" wars inside you to become more fully the beautiful, bodacious woman God has created you to be!! :)

Thanks, so much, Patty!  Guess what book is now in my Amazon wish list?  If you'd like to read more about (and by) Patty, check out her blog at Tales of Me and the Husband.

Second Sunday Sponsors

Anytime we have those "falls on a Monday" holidays, my Sunday always still feels like a Sunday with work looming on the horizon.  And then Monday comes.  And it's a Second Sunday, but even more glorious than the first.  Hope you are enjoying your Second Sunday and are remembering the reason we (well, many of us) have the day off: the men and women who have died in service of our country, our freedom, and our rights.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude when I think of their sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice, and the sacrifice made by their family and friends.  

You know who else I'm grateful for?  (in a smaller scale of course) My sponsors.  Here's the May roundup:

Meet Megan.

Passionately Catholic. Rookie wife. Wannabe fashionista.
 Blogger & speaker on women's issues.  
Creator of beauty through paper goods. 

I'm Megan!  I am a California girl married to a southern gentleman from Louisiana.  My life goal is to bring back the dignity of women in today's society by emphasizing their self-worth, beauty, and purity.  Purity of Heart is my little corner of the web meant to inspire and encourage women of all ages to know who God truly make women to be, with some fashion, pearls of wisdom, and love story mush tied in as well.

pinterest | blog

Meet Blogging for Brett.

Orphan. CP.  Needs a mama. 
Adorable. So much promise.

Brett is an orphan in Eastern Europe who needs a mama.  I started advocating for him through Reece's Rainbow in April 2012 because I couldn't believe that such an adorable little boy should face life in an orphanage and eventually a mental institution just because his legs don't work.  I'm hoping through this blog that we can find Brett some parents and give him a brighter future in Canada or the USA.

facebook | Reece's Rainbow | blog

Meet Patty.

 Newlywed. Youth Minister. Grad Student. 
Passionately Catholic. Lover of books & traveling.

My name is Patty and I blog over at Tales of Me and the Husband.  Grab a hot cup of tea or a glass of wine and stop on by, would love to get to know you!  I write about it all: from marriage, faith, new recipes, book reviews...and it's all done with honesty and on occasion a wee bit of sass!

pinterest | twitter | instagram | blog
 

Meet Liz.

Wife. Mother. Crafter. Wanna be chef. Former teacher.

 

I'm a cradle Catholic who enjoys blogging about my life as a wife and mother.  When I'm not blogging, you can find me barefoot wandering around the beach.

facebook | twitter | blog | shop

Meet Sarah.

Wife to Dan. Mother to Emily & Erin. Daughter of God. 
Lover of family, faith, food, and life.

 I'm Sarah, a young Catholic wife and mommy who loves to run, cook, bake, write, keep house (most of the time), and spend time outside. I'm the lucky wife to a wonderful husband and mother of baby twin girls. I strive to include my faith in all parts of my life, and I'm excited to share our journey as a newly made family of four - come join us!

facebook | twitter | pinterest | blog

7 Quick Takes Friday (90)

--- 1 ---

Have you seen this video about Zach Sobiech, who just died this week from cancer at age 18?  It's incredibly moving and definitely worth the 20 minutes to watch.  After I saw it (and bawled my eyes out), I felt that something was missing.  I knew that a young man facing his death with such peace (and the similarly the calm hope of his family and friends) had to have faith.  Encountering this article about the family's strong Catholic faith was no surprise.  I just wish it had been included in some small way into the video.  What a testament that would have been!

--- 2 ---

Have I mentioned that I love Sudoku?  I usually only play on planes but a recently found a place to play online (Live Sudoku) and I'm hooked!  Guess I know what I'll be doing this summer!
 

--- 3 ---

Lucia has gone poop on the potty a few times this week!  She's told us that she had to go and as long as we've been able to get her on the potty quickly enough, she hasn't had accidents!  (I'm thinking that we need to get a potty chair for downstairs because I just can't get up the stairs too fast with her.  The one we have was $2 at consignment sale but there aren't any more around here until the fall and it's all of $5 new at Ikea.  Finally a reason to go to the Ikea in Denver.)  Before I had a toddler, I never realized what a BIG DEAL potty training is; I thought other parents were exaggerating.  Soooooooo sorry, you were right, this is HUGE!  I'm thrilled, especially since she isn't even 18 months yet.  Once school is over next week and I'm home with her full time for the summer, I hope we'll be able to fully potty train.

--- 4 ---

We're going to a wedding this weekend! I absolutely love weddings and this one is for a childhood friend, which makes it that much more exciting.  Our moms were friends while they were pregnant with us and she was born only 9 days before me.  We have pictures of us together in our infant carseats.  Her family moved to Colorado two years before we did, and although we were about an hour and a half away, we always got together for birthdays and her family usually joined us for Thanksgiving.  My parents, my brother, and his girlfriend will be at the wedding as well, so I'm sure we'll have a great time!

--- 5 ---

The six of us got together last weekend too and it was very, very fun.  My dad's crew at work was recognized by his company as the top in the country for customer service and they got a suite at the Rockies game complete with food and drinks.  It was so luxurious - I'm never going to want to sit in the Rock Pile bleacher seats again!  My dad was really proud to have his family all join him to be recognized.  Definitel one of those moments that I'll always remember.

--- 6 ---

I took some pictures of Lulu playing in the backyard this week.  Here's a sneak peak of one of my favorites.  I'll probably share the rest sometime next week.

--- 7 ---

Did you read my big announcement this week?  I'm going to be an aunt!  I also have a giveaway going on for $50 to Tiny Prints in honor of my NIECE who will be joining us in the world outside the womb in October.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

That Glow

 After Mass on Sunday, the lady behind us started to say something to us.  I assumed it was a comment about how terribly behaved our toddler was, but instead she said this to me:

You should have seen your face when you were looking at your husband walk back from communion with your daughter.  You were absolutely glowing.  You weren't looking at your daughter either, you were looking at him.  You have such a beautiful family.

Did I realize I was looking at my husband that way?  No.  But it doesn't surprise me.  David was in the back of the church with Lucia, so I had already received the Eucharist and was kneeling in my pew.  I was deep in prayer when I looked up and saw him in the communion line holding Lulu.  My first thought was, "That man is handsome."  My second, "Oh, that man is mine."  Gently holding our daughter.  Receiving the Body of our Lord.  Sometimes, I still can't believe he's my husband.  That I'm that blessed.  And I hope I never lose that sense of bewilderment at the incredible blessings of my husband and our marriage.

I hope I never lose that glow when I look as my husband.

The newlywed glow.

Almost three years later, no longer newlyweds but it's still there.

Our public testimony to the beauty of marriage and the benefits of selfless love.

Preach the Gospel...

...use words if necessary.

An Exciting Announcement + $50 Tiny Prints Giveaway

Remember when I wrote this post about my brother-in-law and his wife, my amazing new sister-in-law, and how I said that I hoped someday we'd live near them so my littles could play with their cousins?  Well, it's happening!  They just moved into their first home only a half an hour from us and are expecting their first baby!  I'm going to be an aunt!  Lulu's going to have a little cousin to buddy around with!  Come October, I will be holding my first...

wait for it....

wait for it...

 

 niece!

  

We're so, so thrilled! 

And remember this post about dealing with baby fever?  Well, I left out the biggest way I'm currently coping - having a niece or nephew to look forward to!  I am just excited about this little one as I was about my pregnancy with my daughter.  I'll have a baby to cuddle, Lulu will have a playmate, etc.  All the things that I was lamenting about missing as we wait until the right time for another child.  I'm also loving talking pregnancy and baby with my sister-in-law.  Maybe someday we'll be able to be pregnant at the same time.

We just found out the sex of our little niece yesterday and I think it's only fitting that I have a little baby themed giveaway to celebrate!  Tiny Prints is offering a $50 credit to one lucky winner!  Why is Tiny Prints baby related?  Because they have a gorgeous assortment of baby shower invitations and birth announcements.  Of course, I have no say in my little niece's birth announcement, but I will be planning a baby shower for my sister-in-law this fall.  It will be the first shower I've ever thrown - baby or bridal - and I am so excited.  I've already been thinking of theme ideas.  Right now, I'm loving this chalkboard theme:

 invitation

message for baby

thank you note

There are also matching gift tags and address labels!  If you've ever been on Pinterest, I'm sure you're aware that there are also a million ideas for chalkboard party decor.  Of course, I'll probably change my mind a million times before the shower theme is set in stone, but there are a ton of other options out there.  All I know is that it has to be darling and girlie for my sweet niece.  Babies are such a blessing and love that our culture has big celebrations for a baby still in the womb (and for the pregnant mamas that are taking part in the miracle of life).

Now for the mini blog celebration for this little one!  Enter below on the Rafflecopter.  Please read the terms and conditions before entering.  Contest ends 5/18.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a sponsored giveaway.  I will receive $50 to Tiny Prints in exchange for posting the giveaway.  The opinions (and the niece!) all 100% mine.  See disclosure policy.

Mombo Nursing Pillow: 3+ Baby Products in One?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Comfort and Harmony for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Lucia and I are going on 18 months of nursing!  When she was born, my goal was at least a year and I'm so happy that we've continued past that point.  Nursing has been easy for us from the start, something I know is not the case for all mothers.  I've been reflecting recently on what made nursing work so well for us, and while a large part of it was out of my control - I was blessed with a little one with a good latch from the beginning and who was a good eater, my milk came in fine and I hade adequate supply, etc. - there were definitely things I did that made the learning process smoother.  I read several books about breastfeeding beforehand and went to a breastfeeding class.  David attended the class with me and I had him read the parts of the books that talked about the importance of a husband's support.  We also got a few products to help with breastfeeding, including a nursing cover and a nursing pillow.

Our nursing pillow played a huge part in finding a comfortable hold and being able to nurse in those first few tiring months.  It also served as a great pillow for tummy time.  I was intrigued to find out recently that there are now nursing pillows with some extra bells and whistles. I was sent a mombo nursing pillow to test out and I absolutely love it!  Here's why:

• Mombo has a two-sided design called Firm2Soft™. The firm side gives much needed support for mama and her sweet nursling. The soft side is super comfy for baby to rest against or to use for tummy time.  Super simple concept but makes a world of difference!
• It has a small vibration piece that can be turned on and slipped inside the pillow for resting baby.  Do I need to tell you that babies LOVE vibration?
• 
• It's multi-functional!  I'm mentioned time and time again on my blog that I'm all about multi-functional baby items.  Baby gear tends to take up a ton of space, so if I can find something that takes the roll of a few different items, I'm all over it (for the cost savings as well as space savings!).  Living in a small apartment for the first seven months of Lucia's life and currently sharing a house with my parents, I'm very aware of products that will serve the purpose of many products but only take the space of one.  Babies usually only like those vibrating bouncers for the first 4-6 months and I can definitely see this taking the place of one.
• It has darling covers.  I love two-sided cover we were sent.  One side well elephants (my FAVORITE animal) and the other side a soft green.

Lucia's a bit old to need the nursing pillow to nurse (she now nurses standing up, upside down, while doing yoga, etc.) but she still loved to sit and lay on the soft side of the pillow.  I can't wait to get the entire nursing experience with the pillow down the road.

Since Lulu was born, my mom's go-to baby gift has been a nursing pillow because she was amazed at how useful it was (I guess they weren't around when I was a babe).  When she came out to stay with us after Lucia was born, she used it all the time to hold Lucia (obviously not to nurse!) because it was so much more comfortable for her.  I'm excited to tell her that I know of an even better, more versatile nursing pillow for her to spoil expecting moms with!

You can find out more about the mombo and other Comfort  & Harmony products by following  Comfort & Harmony on Facebook and Comfort & Harmony on Twitter. Mombos are only available at Babies 'R' Us but are so worth a special trip there to grab one for your baby or the expectant mama you know!

Are you ready for sandals?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tree Hut for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Summer is coming up...and it actually feels like it's already here.  Somehow, here in Colorado, we seemed to skip spring altogether and went from a late, late winter (snow day on May 1st) to temperatures in the high 80s.  I don't really mind missing spring because I love summer.  You know what summer means?  Sandals! 

To me, summer style means natural style.  Minimal make up, hair thrown up to stay out of the way during warm weather adventures, comfy maxi dresses and skirts, shorts and capris that can be thrown on quickly so as to get outside and into the beautiful weather as quickly as possible.  Tanks tops and floral prints.  I'm dreaming of time on the beach and outfits like this:

Too bad I don't live anywhere near an ocean or have plans to visit one this summer.  If you're anything like me, your feet might not be ready for sandal weather either.  After the dry, dry winters here, my feet are always dry and cracked. Perhaps it's time to try Tree Hut foot cream and Tree Hut foot scrub.

Tree Hut products are made with Certified Organic Shea Butter, which is known for its skin repairing & moisturizing, anti-aging, and elasticity promoting properties.  A few other bonuses: Tree Hut products are paraben free, made in the US, and not tested on animals.  Sounds like a company that I would feel comfortable supporting!

Tree Hut foot scrub and cream, as well as Tree Hut hand cream, is available at Walmart stores nationwide.  To learn more about the company like Tree Hut on Facebook or follow Tree Hut on Twitter.

Cloth Diapers: Hook and Loop vs. Snaps

It's been a while since I've posted about cloth diapering.  It's still going great in our home and I'm starting to look at cloth potty training pants, since Lucia has started using the potty once in a while.  Now that we have been cloth diapering for nearly a year and a half, I want to address one of the biggest debates in cloth diapering: hook-and-loop closures* or snaps.  Because our cloth diaper stash has been cobbled together from various diaper sales, ebay and Craig's List purchases, we have some of each.  We've gone back and forth between preferring one, then the other since before Lucia was born: 

Initially (before Lucia was born), I was drawn to SNAPS because they would last longer.  Most of what I learned about cloth diapers was from reading the experiences of other bloggers (and look at me now, contributing to this!). My main concern with cloth diapering was cost, so I downplayed any cons of snaps that I read about in relation to the longevity factor.  We knew then that we wanted a large family and were looking for diapers that would last for several babies each.                              

With a newborn, David showed an immediate preference for HOOK-AND-LOOP because he couldn't snap the snaps with his large hands without pinching her. Hook and loop also seems better for smaller babies, especially when using one-size diapers because it's more "customizable"; sometimes one snap is too loose and the next a bit too tight.  We also were not only new to cloth diapering, we were new parents, so anything that made diapering even just a tiny bit quicker or easier was appreciated. 

Once we got the hang of cloth diapering (and parenting) and Lucia grew a bit, we started to notice some of the drawbacks of HOOK-AND LOOP closures.  Even if we remembered to stick the hook-and-loop tabs down before putting them in the laundry, they often still stuck to other diapers and cloth wipes, which resulted in a huge tangled mess and diaper pilling (the "fuzzy" look that makes clothes look worn).  Still, we continued to prefer hook-and-loop closures for the time-saving aspect and lack of accidental pinching involved.  (During this time I once accidentally pinched Lucia with my nails while snapping her diaper during the middle of the night and left a scratch that bled.  I felt like the world's worst mother.) However, the preference wasn't strong and if there was a great sale price on snaps, I didn't think twice about getting them.  (If there was the option, I would still choose hook-and-loop.)

When Lucia was about nine months, we noticed that some of the HOOK-AND-LOOP closures were starting to wear and weren't quite as "sticky".  At this point, we've ultimately decided to stick with them because Lucia is so darn wiggly during diaper changes that we don't have an extra 20 seconds to snap all the snaps. (This has only become more pronounced not that she can walk away from a diaper change.)  I've also heard of many moms replacing the hook-and-loop closures themselves to get extra wear out of their diapers and I imagine that the cost for more hook-and-loop material at the craft store is negligible.  I got a sewing machine for Christmas and  assume that sewing on some little aplix squares would be a good beginner's project.

Lucia is now able to take off the hook-and-loop closures, but we almost always have pants or bloomers over her diaper so it hasn't been much of an issue.  I really prefer sized diapers, although we do have many "one sized" ones, so aplix on the smaller sizes and snaps on the larger ones seem like the best option for us.  She's started using the potty sporadically, which I hope means she'll be potty trained early (she's 17 months) so we won't have much longer in diapers.  In fact, at this point, I'm really looking into training pants that can be pulled up and down, which would be much easier for getting her on and off the potty quickly.

UPDATE: Lucia started undoing snap diapers right after I wrote this post (at about 18 months - only a month or so after she started taking off aplix), so the "baby can't take off snaps" argument is now moot.  They aren't even any more difficult for her, she pulls them off just as easily.

I took a quick survey of some of my readers to ask which they preferred, and it seems that I'm in the minority as a hook-and-loop fan (although a few other agreed with me that they preferred them for newborns).  To give you more perspectives, here's what some other cloth diapering mamas have to say:

Amy:

I much prefer snaps to velcro because I never remember to secure the velcro before putting it in the wash (who wants to handle a soiled diaper that much?) and things always come out ratty and tattered from being snagged by the velcro. 

Anne: 

Aplix (hook-and-loop) diapers are easier to get a better fit with, and they also are easier to "sell" other people (daycare providers, dads, grandmas, babysitters, etc.) to use them. "See? They're just like a disposable!" Snap diapers are better because they last longer (aplix eventually wears), so if you're planning on using them for more than one child, they make more sense. Plus, no diaper chains coming out of the laundry! 

Carolynne:

I love snaps. They are easy to use and keep everything locked in.

Amy:

In the early months, aplix covers give much better fit and leak protection. They are also a good choice when cloth diapering multiples, because they can be very different sizes and you need those in between waist measurements not allowed for with snaps. When they become toddlers, aplix is an open invite to remove the diaper, so we always use snaps. I've never had a toddler remove a snapped diaper, but I've had one get off a disposable that was duck-taped on!

Jeniffer:

I prefer snaps because they usually last longer. Hook-and-loop closures (at least the ones I've used) start showing their wear after a month or so of washing. I have never had a fit problem (one of the reasons I've heard for hook and loop over snaps), but I also stagger snaps if there are two rows. Snaps are also harder for babies to undo...my firstborn figured out how to undo her hook and loop diapers at five months old! 

Jamie:

After 15 months hook-and-loop has worn and are now very easy for my [daughter] to remove. The worn hook-and-loop sometimes will get caught and come loose on clothing, risking major leaks. I now prefer snaps for their durability and longevity. Especially when your baby is old enough to pull off their diaper (which happens quicker than you think).

Rochelle: 

I prefer snaps to hook-and-loop for the above mentioned reasons. I hate taking my covers out and having a line of diapers chained together. Highly annoying. Also, now that my twins are 19 months, taking off their diaper has been Oh Such Fun for them; they have yet to remove a snap diaper.

Elizabeth: 

I prefer snaps because my son learned how to undo the hook-and-loop closure at about 6 months old.

Bethany:

I prefer snaps for the longevity of them, but I also have a couple Velcro because diapering a 14 month old has become a wiggle fest!

Caitlyn: 

I've never tried hook-and-loop to be honest. When I was researching what type of diapers to use, I saw a lot I moms talk about the hook and loop wearing out. Snaps seemed sturdier to me so I went with that. Also? Replacing snaps seemed easier than replacing hook and loop if need be.

Cat: 

I like snaps for the durability and also because we use flushable liners. We have one hook and loop cover--which I do like--but the liner gets caught on the velcro sometimes when I'm trying to put it on the wiggly baby. 

*If you aren't familiar with cloth diapering lingo, hook-and-loop closures is the generic term for the more commonly known brand names Velcro and Aplix.   

If you cloth diaper, I'd love to hear how you weigh in on this issue.  What are the advantages and drawbacks that you've seen of each closure?  Do you have a clear cut preference?  If one is a little cheaper than the other, would you pay the higher price for your preference?