I began using cloth diapers last February, when Jameson was 17 months old. That meant I had no experience with diapering newborns, and so I started to research my options when William’s due date was drawing near.

I decided (rather easily, actually) to go with Kissaluvs. They were the cloth diapers I first fell in love with, back when Jameson was first born. I was determined to buy them someday and touch that pretty softness! So I was thrilled when they were, hands down, the most raved about diaper for newborns.

I bought 12 Kissaluvs in size 0, and 6 Thirsties covers in xs.

And they have been awesome.

I can’t say enough about how well they contain those newborn messes. You know the references I’ve made to scrubbing onesies after a blowout? Well, those blowouts have only ever happened on days when I’ve been using paper diapers. (And not cheap ones, either! You have to buy the very best paper diapers if you want any hope of not changing entire outfits multiple times a day!) The Kissaluvs’ elastic waist and leg openings are firm and don’t let anything past. Amazing. My favorite part of this is that I don’t have to run to change William the minute I hear anything, regardless of where we are or what we’re doing. My life is a tad more sane! Yay!

He’s now a good 15 pounds (maybe more.) I’ve had to adjust how I snap the diapers, and I know our end is near with these soft sherbet diapers. But even as he’s gotten to the point of almost outgrowing them, they still are working fabulously.

Cons? Well, I’m just glad I went with Fuzzibunz for Jameson, and I’ll be ordering a bunch of smalls for William to wear next. I didn’t mind the extra step of diaper and cover for these first few months, but honestly? It’s just not as easy! I also love how soft and slim Fuzzibunz are. There’s no firm bulk, like there is with the Kissaluvs (and prefolds — I remember that from days of younger siblings!) Fuzzibunz also dry so quickly. The Kissaluvs are nice, thick cotton — which means at least two drying cycles (or a full day in the sun, and then a round in the dryer, too!)

All said, I’ve dreaded the days of using paper diapers this time around, because Kissaluvs have given me such a better experience. Totally worth it!!

Life’s seasons all have their own rhythms.

That sounds beautiful, of course, but the truth is that learning a new rhythm isn’t always easy. And some rhythms are harder than others. Some are real doozies (as mom would say.)

Remember the first time you encountered that awful measure, the one you thought for sure was a mistake, the one you carefully circled in pencil so that you could remember to ask your teacher just what in the world that was supposed to be? You know — the eighths over triplets?

And if you had a good teacher, they probably smiled in a “welcome to the real world, kid” sort of way, and then sent you home with a long list of things to do. So you would spend a whole week patting triplets one one knee, and awkward eighths on the other. You would tap out your limping rhythm on the kitchen table while you waited for your soup to be served. You would close the piano lid and play the whole piece, listening for those taps to become less like falling, more like dancing.

And then slowly, ever so carefully, you would add notes to this rhythm. And then phrasing and shape. And then, holding your breath, you’d string it together with the measure before, the measure after, and ta-da. Music.

I’ve been thinking about that as I encounter this new season’s rhythm (2 kids.) If I try to be stubborn or show-offy or refuse to practice well, I could well endure months of limping along. But if I humbly acknowledge that I need a few more days of table-tapping before this measure can be successfully played, I may find myself progressing evenly, capably, beautifully.

This weekend, I added this note to the rhythm:

I’m holding my breath, hoping it wasn’t too much, too fast. But even if it has to be taken back, at least I had a happy glimmer of how beautiful it will all be when it comes together.