When my diaper pail gets close to full or I notice I'm running out of diapers, I pull out the diaper pail liner and carry it downstairs to the washer.
I wash them on the large load setting with cold water, no detergent and an extra rinse. Sometimes i add a squirt of dawn to the cold wash.
Next I do another large load setting with hot water and a cold rinse with about 2 tablespoons of
Rockin'Green detergent. I've tried other detergents (charlie's soap, allen's naturally, tide orginal powder,) but nothing has gotten the diapers so stain free and I've had no stink/ammonia issues with Rockin' Green.
After the second wash I throw them in the dryer on low for one cycle.
Whatever is not dry or has stains (usually just the microfiber inserts) goes out on the clothesline if it is not raining. If it is raining I leave the inserts in and dry them one more time in the dryer.
I am also very impressed with the stain removing the sun provides. After a few hours, or whenever I get around to it, I bring the diapers in and put the inserts in. I also put a flushable liner into each diaper.
I did buy a diaper sprayer but none of the three toilets in this house currently have a flexible toilet hose so I have to put one on or get my dad to cut the metal hose to fit the sprayer on. Until then, I have been using the liners. (I usually just throw away the flushable liners if they have poop on them, if there is no poop they go right in the pail and washed and reused.)
Charlie is always a big help!
We refer to them as "stations." We also have an exersaucer in the basement family room that acts as another station and a bouncy chair too.
He has the best personality and I can tell he recognizes me and his dad and also his name. Here's the classic 5 month airplane picture:
He really likes water and if he gets fussy I know I can stick him in the tub and he'll be happy for hours.
I debated when to start solids and was hoping to wait until 6 months. However, my pediatrician suggested starting at around 4 months. I started with cereal and have also done green beans and carrots.
We don't do solids everyday. Maybe 4-5 days a week in the evenings before bathtime. I still breastfeed him normally and don't wait for him to be "hungry" to feed him solids.
I was really anxious to find out how he reacted to the fireworks. He took a nap before it was time to watch them. Then we went down to the boat that was on the shore and watched the fireworks from there. He just stared at them and seemed to really enjoy it. He didn't jump with the load noises or anything.
