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!

Natural Healing

With the recent recall of my favorite teething tablets, it truly is the case that nothing (not even the natural stuff) is always 100% safe. Of course the moment the recall happened, thousands and thousands of parents went on-line and to brick and mortars to buy up each and every single container of these miracle pills (natural parenting people, go figure). In fact, many natural parenting parents view the recall as nothing more than the FDA trying to come down on natural remedies for the sake of big pharmas. The "problem" with the pills, according to some, is the inconsistent amounts of belladonna--many docs believe this is nothing to be concerned about.

Side note: Eating 6 bottles may cause a problem. Imagine 1 bottle of Tylenol.

Still I have to admit that I have used them less, if only because Dalia seems less upset by her teething pains. Oh, and because of my recent purchase!

After reading, researching, talking, debating, and doing some general thinking about other teething/discomfort remedies, we decided to purchase a baltic amber teething necklace for Dalia. The jeweler, Inspired by Finn, is an entrepreneur who showcases her products at HyenaCart, one of my favorite on-line shopping destinations.

Read up on amber as a natural healing remedy:

http://hyenacart.com/inspiredbyfinn/index.php?c=63&p=14913

http://www.viewpoints.com/No-Brand-Amber-teething-necklace-review-00b92

http://www.mamapedia.com/article/amber-teething-necklaces

Side note number 2: the above is a quick google search and not my serious research!

Does it work? Who knows.

I will have to let you know, though it may be the placebos talking :)

Teeth

And I thought labor was hard!

Teething is really a crazy thing. One moment our child is blissfully happy, smashing B's Wacky Balls with the yellow, squeaking hammer (their website is really cute, check it out). The next moment our little munchkin has tears rolling down her face. So long as mommy and daddy are holding her (for the most part) she is fine. The moment darkness rolls around and that little b-word (bedtime) starts emerging from our lips, she is a totally different child. Unhappy, to say the least!

So Dalia has four teeth so far. Right now she is getting four more--all at the same time. Imagine that! And while these nights are difficult, I really cherish the time she needs us in the middle of the night. Soon this stage will pass and she will be telling us to go away. We relish it while we can :)

Dalia is also very interested in walking. She always wants us to hold her hands so she can practice. She doesn't like sitting down and she really doesn't like diaper changes. I can barely get the diaper around her little white round tushy before she is off! Sometimes I don't get that far and her little tushy goes racing down the hallway. Well there goes those last few pounds holding me back from my favorite pair of pants. Maybe they will see the light of day in 2010 after all.

We Lost the Bet

Both of us, that is.

Wow.

Several weeks ago we posted about betting:

"Who will win the bet of when Dalia's first tooth will come?"

Well apparently neither one of us as there is still NO tooth in sight!

Um, hi there, Mr. Molar

Well, not exactly, but I see that huge molar just below the surface. And I also stuck my clean finger in that swollen mouth and felt Mr. Molar, which Dalia very much enjoyed. You might think I am crazy, but I am not. It is true that babies generally get their bottom front teeth first and then... (well, you know the drill)... but my Dalia likes doing things her way--she already is, my friends, a mini-momma.

So after ice cold teething rings, a lot of mommy/Dalia cuddling, gum massage, wash cloth straight out of the freezer, and an above average dose of my favorite teething tablets, I resorted to Acetaminophen (but not the Tylenol brand).

While I do not like the idea of medicating the little branch on our family tree, I don't want her to suffer unnecessarily. The things we battle with :)

So maybe there is a light at the end of the teething tunnel?