As Mike indicated on the last post, we haven't gotten out much. With a new baby we are leaning more towards being hermits. Especially with months of backlog to go through. Our weekends are filled with unloading boxes (we sent about 12 boxes home full of clothing, food & drink items, toys, etc.) writing thank you notes, working on Christmas stuff, catching up on doctor's appointments, kindergarten, bake-sales, etc. Leaving us little time to go out into the wilds of Japan. We are planning a trip to Okinawa soon and we would like to plan another trip to a ryoken sometime after that just to "get away".
Last night with our new addition was a tough one. I think he got up every hour after 11:00. Needless to say, I am savoring my coffee this morning! The previous night was a good night. He slept for a 6 hour stretch. I felt like a million bucks!
Several weeks ago I went to the commissary to find out that I must have had a baby the same time that every other Navy spouse had a baby. Diapers in Sam's size were sold out. The only brand they had leaked like crazy.
I had heard several of my Mommy friends talking up Japanese diapers so, I thought I'd give it a go. To my delight, the diapers are much cheaper than their American counterparts. I could get twice as many for a few $$ less. I had no idea what brand was good so, I was cautious at first and went with the Japanese version of Pampers. They worked OK. I appreciated the little color changing bar in the center that indicated when baby was wet. The next go, I decided to be a little more adventurous and buy Moony brand. I got 118 diapers for 1900 yen. Sweet! They turned out to be not so sweet. Just about every single diaper change is a leak. I've have to change the crib sheets everyday and change PJ's or daytime clothes just about every changing which is not so fun in the middle of the night or in the wee morning hours. I can't wait until these diapers are done! It's disappointing because they are so cute with Pooh Bear on them! I've heard through the grapevine that Merries and Goon are good brands so they will be next on my chopping block. However, for atleast night time, I've ordered some American Pampers online ( I love Pampers Swaddlers. They are the best) I had some left over in my diaper bag and sighed as I wrapped the last one I had around him yesterday. We shall meet again soon my beloved Pampers!
I'm still planning on going with cloth further on down the road. I think it will help him become potty trained A LOT quicker. Unfortunately, in our area there is no diaper service. A girlfriend of mine said that it may have had something to do with the change in garbage seperation in 2005 that made almost all mothers switch to disposables in this area of Japan. Making the need for a service obsolete.
If anyone out there has any more experience in the Japanese diaper department, please write in! I'm willing to try more brands as the price of these diapers can't be beat. I'm curiouse about all avenues. I don't know how to read Japanese so I am really going into this blindly. I did find out that Moony makes a type of diaper that doesn't absorb quickly as to make it easier for baby to know when he/she is wet. Helps with potty training. I think that this is the Torepan-man diapers that they make. I think that I bought Moony-man.
Wish me luck and send in suggestions and knowledge! I'll continue the dirty work of my research.
I thought everyone might enjoy seeing the Corry's with Santa. Santa found time out of his schedule to stop by Mike's Command Christmas Party. Unfortunately Hanukkah Harry couldn't make an appearance. After all, he's under a time crunch right now. Hanukkah falls a few days before Christmas! Happy Holidays.
