asprygal's Profile

I have responses that address a few of your concerns:

1. There is a solution to the loose sheets -- there are things called sheet suspenders. They are basically a wide, long, adjustable piece of elastic with clips at each end. Hotels use them sometimes to keep sheets really crisp and tight. You could also rig something up courself; suspender clips are available at fabric stores as is wide elastic.
2. Alternately, you can make fitted sheets - many tutorials exist. That way you can make sheets for a thinner mattress.
3. I think that if you feel uncomfortable and worry that your baby will be insecure on a floor bed your baby will *be* insecure on a floor bed. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy: any odd behavior on the baby's part you will attribute to her being insecure on the floor bed. You can always introduce the floor bed when your baby is ready, after you know your baby's temperament. We waited to introduce the floor bed until our daughter was 10 months old, and she sometimes sleeps on it and sometimes sleeps with us.

However, If you have a co-sleeper at-the-ready, I think you are prepared. The other decisions (crib or floor mattress) can wait until you know more about your baby. Unless you have a large baby that quickly outgrows the co-sleeper. Give yourself permission to take it one step at a time.

I kept my last name when I got married (it is a very unique name and I am the only grandchild able to carry on the name). When I had a baby, my husband and I agreed that if I "picked" the last name (i.e., if the baby got my last name) then he would get to pick the first name. Our daughter has my last name now; he picked the first name and I love it.
I hope people ask her and us why her last name is different from her father's last name: why not challenge the patriarchal naming tradition?

Only cribs made and sold between certain dates were recalled. Owners could either get rid of the crib or update certain pieces to make the crib safe. You can find more (official) information here: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11135.html

I think this is a terrific idea and asked for one when my aunt was planning my baby shower. She thought no one would feel comfortable bringing used items to a shower, but I still added comments to my amazon.com wishlist specifying which items I felt comfortable accepting used and which items I preferred new (car seat, breast pump, etc.).

@ TCoulter: The travel bed pictured is the Brica Fold N' Go Travel Bassinet .

Our bed is king-sized (76" wide).

How can I best photograph an infant? How do photographers achieve the directly-overhead shot (stand on a chair?) so often seen in infant portraits?

I have been using this style of vermicomposter for over a year and wish I would've gone with the DIY solution (i.e., the big rubbermaid tub with holes drilled in it). In my experieince, I've noticed these drawbacks:

*Although one can stack several trays, only one tray is actually in use at a time.

*The liquid from the spigot is not compost tea and is not appropriate for houseplants. It is compost leachate and, in fact, can overwhelm the small contained "ecosystems" of houseplants.

* In order for the worms to quickly process large amounts of food scraps, the scraps need to be cut into small pieces. I found this to be an annoying extra step. Adding whole food scraps means it takes longer for the worms to do their work.

*The low height of the trays mean that there is not always ample coverage of the worms and scraps with shredded cardboard or paper. We have had fruit fly problems because of this.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I am going to try freezing gnocchi, hash browns, and stew.
I can't store the potatoes because I do not have a basement (I am an apartment dweller), and my kitchen is much too warm and damp, even in the winter. I have no control over our heat, so the kitchen is generally 72-75 degrees in the winter. Last winter I had spoilage problems with potatoes and onions (we kept them separated from each other).
If I figure out any great ways to make and freeze has browns, I'll pass it on.
Thanks,
Lexy

Casey Leigh -- I like your ideas. It's also a system that's easy for others to follow. I'd also add wine opener to the "things that open" category.