Will and I were talking about alligators when I came to the realization that things affect me completely differently now that I’m a parent. For instance, when I hear a happy story about a child I chuckle inwardly if it is something Julius has done, while in the past I’d probably think “aww, kids are cute, maybe it would be nice to have one”. If I hear a story about about grumpy toddler or a parent trying to wrangle in a grumpy toddler I again chuckle to myself, whereas in the past I’d probably think something like “jeeze, I really can wait to have kids” or “how hard can kids be to control, what is that parent doing wrong?” (Yes I admit I did inwardly judge, though I would never have said it aloud or criticized someone about it.) And now, if I hear a story about a child that is injured or has had some misfortune befall them I am devastated, not just sad like I was in the past. I potentially burst out crying or at least weep silently. (This makes a Series of Unfortunate Events so hard to watch.) Oh and why alligators? That’s just a long story.
In other news Julius moved up to the toddler room full time today. We’ve been waiting for him to move up because we think that he will learn a lot more from the older kids. He’s been one of the two oldest kids for almost his entire time in daycare. Of course, this means he’ll be seeing less of his “second mothers” at daycare which makes all of us very sad. I haven’t had to drop him off yet in the new room, but I will probably cry (because, like the first day of daycare, I don’t think I’m going to cry, and the first day of daycare I sobbed in front of everyone).
“Graduating” from the Toddler Room
In preparation for Julius’ move up to the big leagues, I had to provide a trash bin for them to put the cloth diapers in. Like I do at home, I decided to use washable diaper bin liners to save even more on waste. I made these to fit the Simple Human low profile 10L step trashcan. But you can modify the pattern to your own specifications, just measure the trash can opening circumference (c inches) and the depth (d inches) of the can. Add 1 inch to the depth of the can, and double this measurement ((d+1)*2), this will be the length of the rectangle of PUL you will cut below. Take the circumference of the can, divide by 2 and add 1.5 inches (c/2+1.5). This will be the width of the rectangle of PUL. To find the length of the elastic, take the circumference of the can, add 1, and multiply by 5/6ths – round down. ((c+1)*5/6).
Reusable Water Resistant Trash Can Liner
What you’ll need:
- 30″x19″ length of PUL fabric (for 10L Simple Human trash can or see above for calculations for a different trashcan size)
- 30″ of 3/4″ elastic
- 4″ of 3/4″ elastic
- 100% polyester thread
- Fine needle (70/10) and medium weight needle (90/14)
UPDATE: You can also use this trash can liner as a carrier for a potty seat once your child moves out of diapers!!! (See below.)
- Fold your PUL in half to form a 15″x19″ rectangle.
- Use binder clips to “pin” short edges of rectangle together.
- Using the fine needle stitch 1/2″ from edge with a medium-long stitch width (I chose 4 on my singer). Repeat for second size.
- Serge the edge of the fabric that you just stitched (using polyester thread).
- Fold the 30″ piece of elastic in half, and stitch along the unfinished edges to secure (1/4″ from edge).
- Fold the bag in half to form a 9.5″x15″ rectangle. Mark where the folds are. Fold the elastic in half and then in half again and mark where the folds are (should mark 4 distinct folds).
- Match each mark on the elastic to either a mark on the bag or one of the seams of the bag. Pin the elastic to the outside of the bag at each mark.
- Switch to the heavyweight needle. Using a wide zig-zag stitch sew the elastic to the outside of the bag. You will need to stretch the elastic out for each quarter of the bag to match the length of fabric.
- Fold the 4″ elastic in half andstraight stitch to the seam allowance of one of the sides of the bag. Stitch through the elastic several times to reinforce.
To close the bag, bunch the top closed and then pull the elastic loop over the bunched up fabric. The elastic loop should keep the bag tightly closed.
Here’s what the liner looks like inside the can.
UPDATE: Upon potty training I discovered that this bag also works amazingly well as a carrier for Julius’ potty seat! Any of the ones called “soft potty seat” fit perfectly!
Julius’ potty seat fits perfectly in the bag now that’ he’s done with diapers!
