elizarock's Profile

Definitely in the clean slate camp. I do love the holidays, but it's so nice to put everything away and enjoy the clean open space again. And I don't even have that much holiday stuff out--but the tree takes up a lot of space, and the garlands and lights take up a lot of visual space.

ellaaron, the rug is from World Market. The quilt is by my friend Dianne - her shop is called Boga Babe. It's technically a play mat but it's multipurpose. I use mine every day! http://www.etsy.com/shop/bogababe

Thanks for the kind comments!

Also I think you are on target with 3 minutes, I'd say maximum 5 minutes but 3 is great! You can cram a lot into that time and it won't drag on.

I suggest: If you are doing a soundtrack, pick an upbeat song. Lullaby type songs on slideshows are so boring to me, even if I love the baby in them!

Also I suggest timing the transitions between pictures to the beat of the song. That helps add interest and makes it feel coherent. I've made slideshows for my kids' birthdays every year (except this last year...ran out of steam and got too busy but I plan to remedy that)...some songs I have used in the past: "In a Little While" (U2), "The Way I Am" (Ingrid Michaelson), "I Will" (The Beatles), "Every Day" (Buddy Holly), "Birthday" (The Bird and the Bee), "Forevermore" (Katie Herzig), "Hallelujah I Love Her So" (Ray Charles), "Loves Me Like a Rock" (Paul Simon).

Also--I don't have a fancy computer with cool software so I used onetruemedia.com. It was super easy and free.

Finally, you don't need to include all the pics and videos. If you have a lot to choose from, I would choose only the ones that have the most artistic merit or visual interest on their own (like a person who didn't know the kid would still like the picture). That also makes it feel like a work of art. Have fun!! Your kid will LOVE watching it for years!! my kids still love theirs!

I liked the Potty Wise book (same authors of Baby Wise). Didn't agree with all of it (as with Baby Wise) but what I did take away from it was that the aspect of toilet training to celebrate is: clean, dry undies. I gave my kids rewards for checking their undies randomly throughout the day and finding them clean and dry. They also got rewards for using the toilet but we focused on the end goal, which is staying clean and dry.

Also, there are probably some kids for whom this wouldn't work, but as a rule I don't clean poopy underwear, I just flush the poop and toss the undies. (I trained my kids in cheapo Target undies.) That way we were able to go cold turkey, one day diapers, the next undies.

My daughter caught on way faster than my son. He, at 3, had to have the whole bodily function thing explained to him. She, at 2 1/2, had been begging to use the toilet for months before I caved. Fun times. This is such a huge accomplishment, remember to celebrate the kids as often as possible when they are learning this important skill! So fun to see them when they finally "get it" and feel so independent.

The favors might be a little much (I'd never make them although I'd want to make friends with the person who made them) but the idea is spot on. I think it's important to break the ice a little.

Living across the country from family, I travel often with my kids (4.5 and 2.5...and a 1 month old now too) and have since my first was tiny. At least half the trips have been without my husband and often involve bulky, awkward things like carseats or bags of toys/extra clothes/what have you. I have almost always had good traveling experiences. I find that while a lot of people really don't like kids/don't think kids should travel (at least if you believe comments on blogs and online news articles on the topic), a whole lot of people are sympathetic, and they often either have young kids themselves, or remember having young kids, or plan to have young kids someday.

Generally I introduce myself (and if appropriate, my kids) to the people just in front of and behind us--sometimes including my name, sometimes just saying hello--and say something lighthearted about how I hope we won't bother them and that we have been trying to prepare for the flight. I don't think that's selling kids short or not allowing them to be themselves. Kids are kids, but it's important to remember that adults are adults and some of them are not around kids at all. Worse, some of them think that a crying child means the parent isn't doing their job. That's wrong, but it still happens.

Breaking the ice at first I think helps. Even more than that it helps to be involved with the kids, actively anticipating what could go wrong, doling out what consequences are necessary but also letting some rules slide if it keeps the peace. Not only does this mitigate problems, it also shows fellow passengers that--hey, at least I'm trying!

I love white appliances. Totally classic, and for mid- to low-end stuff, it's so much cheaper than the exact same product in stainless.

I think that what some here have meant to say is that high-end stainless, like for restaurant-grade stuff, has always been in style. The low-end stainless (or worse yet--silver-colored!) appliances you get at any big-box store, that to me is more of a trend that won't last as long as white, and definitely fits in with the avocado/harvest gold. Of course I think avocado and harvest gold can look pretty cool if you're doing a retro thing. So maybe stainless will be the same someday.

What I cannot stand is bisque. Gross.

I don't know that I would call white walls "daring." But I do think they are a good choice. I prefer warmer whites over cooler whites although pale gray can be very nice in pictures. I just think that warmer whites reflect sun better and make me happier.

I definitely noticed that while I chafed inside "renter's white" flat white walls in apartments, once I bought my own house I found myself wanting white walls anyway. My kids' rooms and the bathrooms are painted a variety of pale blues, but otherwise every room is white (Behr Cottage White and Behr Vanilla Custard). It makes everything feel brighter and lighter. But accessories are definitely needed. And flat paint (found in every apartment I've rented) is no good with kids.

I used Småland once just to try it; it was fine but I don't know if I'd do it again. Echo the ball pit queasiness. Plus my kids love Ikea. Escalators, elevators, toys, bright colors, and a cafeteria all = fun for them. As long as I have a plan and keep them moving...and eating is involved as well as short breaks to play...it is fun for all of us.

Never seen the car carts at Ikea; in fact, I have always kind of hated their carts. The ones at my store in No VA don't push straight, they always veer to one side. Wegmans (east coast) has my favorite shopping carts...and they have child care too!

Our babies fit into mini cribs for 2 years, at which point they went into twin beds. It can work!

I agree, as a kid I loved tiny nooks. Still do.