Up Down and Potty Party!

Some people might think potty training a 1 year old is totally nuts, but in many parts of the world, early potty training, or a similar concept, elimination communication, is pretty much standard practice (though ERers don't like the word "train"). And while we aren't die hard ECers who started at birth, we are introducing Dalia to the potty and letting her use it when we think she needs to. She is an active participant in this process, saying "pee" when she successfully went in the little potty today (for the third time this week). This is not rocket science, people. Sure it takes a long time, but, what else do I have to do? It is like learning how to breast feed, learning how to eat, crawl and walk.

TMI?

I guess some may think so, but this is a place where we shares the trials and tribulations of being new-ish parents. So if you aren't interested fast forward! But I have to warn ya, the first photo is a good one, if you can recognize the main event.

Now, of course we took privacy into account. I bet Dalia is going to LOVE this one day:

We are also going to invest in the snap on toilet. Anyone know of an elmo one? Oh and we spared most viewers the actual potty photo, but some chosen

unlucky family members were not spared.

So for those of you who are interested in trying this or just plain confused/shocked/perplexed here are some helpful websites, interesting stuff

Some EC links:

EC community

Nappy Free video

Helpful tidbits

EC clothing/potty pants

In action #1

In action #2

If my mom didn't already think I was an insane hippy-leaning weirdo, she certainly does now :) We will obviously still be using our amazing stash of cloth diapers for some time, but we are still moving toward a diaper free Dalia.

I thought I would also share a couple of cute Dalia playing photos:

Kuddos to Grandma for picking out this sweet riding toy. Dalia loves it!

Dalia is a ball of fun these days and she loves to play. She LOVES to play "up down" at all hours, including dinner time (and at three am).

Check out this video of Dalia playing "up down" with daddy:

Oh and that frame on the wall that still has the original packaging?

Yep, that is major class right there.

Ciao!

Dalia's 1 Year Photos-Sneak Peek!

We were fortunate to work with Crystal Hardin of Lily B Photography for Dalia's 1 year photos (side note: you should totally book her asap).

Dalia loved playing outside in the leaves.

Example follows:

I can't believe she is ours! Don't you just want to squeeze her!?

Crystal was amazing to work with! And she was a fabulous person, too! It was so nice to be outside in the beautiful, crisp weather with our little soon-to-be toddler (jaw hitting the floor yet??). I know I know, we can't believe it either. She is so big already. She has an amazing personality. She is the love of our lives.

*Keep in mind that these are copyrighted images. Do not print them or alter them in any way, including removing the watermark.

Play Space

So we have a small place and there is no place for Dalia to have her own play room, but we are so fortunate to be able to provide her with an adorable play space (move over, kitchen table!):

She loved her surprise! She knew it was hers--something in the way she looked at the colors and toys told us that she was blissfully happy. That content smile and little giggle was all we needed.

We could have spent a ton of money on this (I know people who spent over $200.00 on the floor tiles alone), but that was not in our budget, especially considering we are doubling the rent we pay in about two months. We decided to get some nice interlocking foam tiles from Buy Buy Baby and a few new age-appropriate toys that Dalia "tried out" on some of our play dates.

Fortunately, we aren't into excess and we don't like the toys-piled-in-the-toy-box approach. We would rather research and select a few toys that make sense for Dalia. Our goal is to show her through example that less is more and that is OK! This is not to say she won't have plenty of fun toys (believe me, she is already a bit spoiled by her Grandma, Grammi, Papa, Saba, Safta, Aunties, and Uncles), but we want her to know and appreciate what she has.

Daddy and Dalia enjoyed playing together:

We are so happy that she is able to have a space of her own.

Dalia Can Sit

Look! I can sit mommy and daddy!

This gorgeous child of ours spent an entire week at Grammi's refining the art of sitting (but not the art of sleeping).

And the practice certainly paid off. Not only can she sit, she can sit and play. In fact, she prefers to sit these days. She just pursed her lips right up and leaned forward eyeing her stackable toy with confidence and grace.

The result?

Better toy-to-mouth action!