ElleBee's Profile

No info about pricing? Sure, the "shopping experience" might make a difference if one store serves you tea and gives you a pedicure while you peruse the goods, but the bottom line is what matters more to most of us, assuming the product quality is more or less equal. Also: Your experience of whether a store near you is crowded or whether there's a ladder in the aisle has no relevance to the experience of any other AT reader.

Wow, I would love this. It even plays 78s!

For those who like the Fisher Price booster chair, do you ever use it on the floor for older babies? Is it stable enough to stand alone?

What a great idea. Thanks Alidb for the inside scoop. I agree about yard sales, but those are hit and miss and I don't always have the time to search out yard sales. Getting things in the mail is really attractive. Seems so easy and I like the idea of browsing online during down time. I'm going to sign up and give it a try.

Karsha, that's brilliant. I think I will steal your idea!

I used to use a shoe organizer like that on the inside of my sliding closet door for scarves and gloves. It got lost during a move, though, and I never got around to replacing it, mostly because I again moved to a place with sliding closet doors and it's not easy standing inside a tiny dark closet surveying scarves.

What about installing curtains that you could tie or velcro closed? If you want to keep an airy look, you could use mosquito netting or cheesecloth. Just make sure your installation hardware is rock solid and can withstand tugging.

I agree with Maevers about the handrail and the gate.

What a great post. Excellent job realizing your dream, Scarlett! I especially love the blue color you chose for the walls.

It depends on where you live, but in general, I think a rent increase would be illegal. I agree with the others. No reason to even bring it up. If you do choose to let him know about your baby, do not suggest in any way that a rent increase would be appropriate, even under the guise of water use.

I'm also pregnant and haven't told the landlord. I know that he does not like to rent to people with children (which is discriminatory and illegal) but we've been here for several years and know our rights. He'll find out when he finds out. I am hoping to move in the next year to a place with slightly more space. My neighbors know, and they also know that we are considerate people and will minimize impact on them, and that's what matters.

For those of you with pack and plays, did you find the bottom too firm to be a comfortable bed? I'm interested in buying one but am concerned about the longer term usability of it for sleeping once the baby outgrows the bassinet attachment.

Daffodil, you're so funny! I had not thought of an escapee with that. Good point.

What's the upper age range for the Peapod?

I have to follow up and point out the irony of this post on the heels of a recent UN and UNICEF reports showing that:

* 200 million children in the world have stunted growth due to undernourishment
* 1/3 of deaths in children under 5 is related to poor nutrition (ie these children would have survived with better nutrition)
* 17,000 kids a day die of starvation

I know you're just looking for some fun party themes and that you don't want to have to think about saving the world when considering festivities. But a food flight party is beyond cynical.