I’m thinking about changing up the blog a bit, but first I want to hear from you. What would you like to read more of?

Is it that you’d like to learn more about my real life? Perhaps you could use more recipes? Or maybe you want more giveaway?

Name it. I want to make you happy. Go!

It has been a long time since I last blogged. I have a couple product reviews coming up for you, but we’re in the midst of planning a move and I’m behind.

A quick update (in case you don’t follow me on Twitter – why wouldn’t you?): my grandmother has actually taken a turn for the better! It’s both unexpected and joyous!

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

If you have read my blog for more than a second, you’re probably aware that I am anti-disposable diapers (unless they are biodegradable). So, I am being perfectly honest about my bias right up front. Nevertheless, I know many people who have or do use Pampers diapers on their children. Maybe this will convince them to change their diapering ways:

Parents are reporting chemical burns and rashes on their baby’s bottoms from the new Pampers Dry-Max diapers. Pampers refuses to recall the diapers, citing parents’ improper care for the babies’ burns and rashes.

From the Pampers website:

Q: What is Pampers with Dry Max?

Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with Dry Max is our new high performance diapers and is the biggest innovation to Pampers in 25 years. Our Pampers team is especially excited about the new product as the development of the Dry Max technology is the result of more than a decade of research and testing involving more than 20,000 babies, including many “tests” in our own homes. These hard working Pampers with Dry Max diapers are thinner than before, and Pampers’ driest ever as they help lock in wetness.

Q: What are the materials in Pampers with Dry Max?

The new Pampers with Dry Max is made of the same types of materials that have been used in diapers for many years. The absorbent core is primarily composed of an acquisition layer containing pulp-based fibers and a storage core containing a super absorbent gelling material (a common polyacrylate). This super absorbent gel, which is used in most disposable diapers, are the small beads that turn into a gel-like material in order to hold the large amount of liquid. This has been shown to be non-irritating, safe for skin and even safe if ingested. The absorbent core also includes a touch of fragrance inside, to help mask the smell of urine and BM.

The rest of the diaper is primarily composed of Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE), soft synthetic materials commonly used in applications ranging from clothing to housewares to food packaging, as well as Lycra, a latex-free elastic. Combining these materials helps to create diapers that comfortably fit and work. In addition, the diaper contains lotion, a cosmetic ingredient to help maintain the baby’s skin health.

And my personal favorite …

Q: How can a disposable diaper be better for the environment? How are your Dry Max diapers better for the environment?

At Pampers, we’re committed to continually improving our products to reduce our impact on the environment. To reduce environmental impact through the past 20 years, we’ve decreased our product weight by one-third and packaging weights by two-thirds. Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with Dry Max is one step in our journey in creating more sustainable products. Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max provides trusted Pampers protection, while containing 10 percent less material weight than before, which means fewer resources are used. If every Pampers mom switched to Pampers with Dry Max, together they could throw away the weight of a billion less diapers every three years (compared to using previous Swaddlers/Cruisers, based on 08/09 volume for Swaddlers/Cruisers).

I want to personally address a few of Pampers’ statements:

The absorbent core also includes a touch of fragrance inside, to help mask the smell of urine and BM.

Not all babies can tolerate “a touch of fragrance” and this shouldn’t be allowed in ANY diaper, in my opinion. Both my children have sensitive skin and the youngest breaks out in rashes just from being close to someone with perfume on! I am sure you know someone like that, too. Babies have such sensitive systems, anyway – why should the companies that parents trust to manufacture products for their little ones be allowed to use unnatural dyes and fragrances in their products?

The rest of the diaper is primarily composed of Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE), soft synthetic materials commonly used in applications ranging from clothing to housewares to food packaging … In addition, the diaper contains lotion, a cosmetic ingredient to help maintain the baby’s skin health.

In case you are wondering, Polypropylene and Polyethylene are essentially plastics. They failed to mention that these materials are also used for auto parts and industrial fibers. But at least they put lotion on top of that plastic, right?

Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max provides trusted Pampers protection, while containing 10 percent less material weight than before, which means fewer resources are used. If every Pampers mom switched to Pampers with Dry Max, together they could throw away the weight of a billion less diapers every three years

While I can certainly appreciate that they are doing a little (and I do mean little) something to reduce the impact, they aren’t doing enough! With all the knowledge that there is out there about what is happening to our environment, why even make a diaper that isn’t biodegradable? They claim that their diapers are better for the environment – better than what? And while the plastic products inside these diapers are recyclable, they sit in landfills taking centuries to degrade.

I do not use Pampers diapers, and I never will. I have not experienced the issues that other parents are reporting. But I am disappointed that Pampers is placing all the onus on the parents and refusing to take a second glance at how they could improve their diapers. Pampers and other diaper companies just aren’t doing enough, in my opinion, to make diapers that are better for both babies and the environment.

If you use Pampers diapers with Dry-Max, and your baby has experienced any burns or rashes OR if you are just disgusted at the lack of healthy innovation, you can do one of several things:

1. Join the Facebook Group to bring back the old diaper technology here
2. Learn more about boycotting Pampers here
3. Contact Pampers directly via website email or phone (1-800-726-7377)
4. Report Pampers to the USCPSC here

Do your own research, form your own opinion. Take action. It is time for our children’s bottoms and their future world to both be protected. There is just no excuse!

The lovelies over at Modern Bird Studios interviewed me this week. I am honored to have been part of their Weekly Blogger Interview (read it here). Their art is “awesomesauce”, so after you read my interview do a little shopping. And look for more on those fine folks in my upcoming Home Fashion Guide.

This blog is more of a resource for other busy moms than it is an outlet for me. It takes a lot for me to air anything personal in public – I have to be really angry to say something ugly, really hurt to cry in front of anyone, etc. It will be a rare moment when I break down in front of anyone. However, I feel that I must share the following information with you. So that I will get it out. So that I can lean on y’all. So that you can understand my coming absence.

My grandmother is dying. We don’t know how long we have left; but it isn’t long, I know that. My grandma has always been like a second mother to me. She was where I ran when I ran away from home as child. She is the one who instilled a love of sewing and shopping in me. She is the one who taught me it was ok to drive a little faster and laugh a little louder. Needless to say, this is probably the saddest moment in my life. I don’t think I have ever cried so much as I have over the last week.

I am going to take whatever time I have left and spend it with her. I want to soak up every last memory, moment, smile, laugh, cry, and hug that I can with this wonderful woman.

I have a number of reviews to finish up and get out to y’all – some good stuff you’ll want to hear about. I want to get the info out to all you wonderful readers, and I will as time allows. My blog is (and all of you are) very important to me, but you know family must come first. My family has and always will be my number 1 priority. Now more than ever, though, I have to be with my family. So, I have lined up some wonderful guest posts for all things “Hurried Homemaker”. I know that you all will love what I have in store for you and you’ll get to discover some great new blogs in the process.

Stick with me, enjoy what’s coming, and I will be back.

Rhiana