La Rêveuse's Profile

Why an accent on the c? Is that a typo? "Chic" en français has no accent.

Remember, this isn't forever. When she's a bit older, you'll be able to return it. It's just a couple of years (which sounds like forever, but will go by in the blink of an eye.)

I can't see what kind of rail it is--solid, or can you see through it? If you're worried about a head going through, you can get plexi cut to fit the bottom and drill holes in the corners, then use zip ties to attach it to the banister. Try a local glass shop. Then move the couch (sorry, but it's a given), and watch carefully. It's not a perfect solution, but can help.

We used a thin board zip tied to our banister, and then screwed our baby gate into that to attach it without wrecking the banister. I zip tied it all the way down, and it was not possible to even jiggle it. Worked great. Looked sort of ugly, but it wasn't needed long, so we dealt. You could paint it white and use clear ties, and it would be less noticeable.

I had one kid who ripped down everything, so we covered book/CD shelves with plexi held on with thin elastic bands (just bought elastic and tied it behind the furniture), and it worked great. Remotes worked through it, too, so we covered our electronics with it. We also had to lock every cabinet because she emptied them all every day. It was really annoying. #2 kid, nothing. Baby gates, but other than that she left things alone. Personality differences.

Good luck!

Zones defined by colorful carpets would help to define things and keep them cozy while adding color. Another helpful thing would be a large EXPEDIT bookcase from IKEA--they can be used as room dividers (attach the end to a wall), aren't solid, but can have baskets for tons of storage of random crap that little ones attract (I have two, I get it.) They're also quite attractive and don't look cheap.

Try floorplanner.com for a free way to play around with things until you are happy with it. It's a really handy resource. :)

We have a small 3-legged stool I bought at Habitat (a British home store) in Paris when we lived there, modeled after a Swedish Milking stool. It kind of looks similar to this one, but smoother and paler. It's the perfect height and I'm comfortable enough to read a book if the girls want to play for a long time.

I have 4 for 2 beds--one crib (17 mo.) and one toddler (4 yrs.). Never needed more save one night with the oldest before the younger was born. She had the flu and we went through everything. Ended up using tablecloths, but she was old enough where it wasn't a suffocation hazard at that point. I always wash immediately, so there are 2 waiting, and we've been fine. But, my kids aren't pukers or particularly prolific from the other end, so it works.

My daughter has done this once or twice, and always cries for us to come get her out. She's had a bruise or two, but I am not too worried about that. Her sister really didn't have a problem with it, so I haven't addressed it myself. (I didn't use bumpers for safety reasons, but neither were rollers until they were able to get around well by themselves.)

That being said, I have considered buying tulle at the fabric store. It comes in wide widths, and could be woven through the bars all the way around to cover the whole shebang. Easy to breathe through, but would prevent this problem if you kept the tension snug. You could likely affix it to the top and bottom rails so it wasn't pulled down to be climbed. Comes in hundreds of colors, too. Might not be the most attractive option, but since our nursery isn't exactly the showplace of our home (what is? I have 2 kids. There are toys in every room of the house!), it wouldn't bother me. Just an idea. :)

Just remember, if he's been fed, has a clean diaper, and isn't in pain, he will survive even if he cries for a while. You are not going to scar him for life. Sometimes, babies just need to cry. As long as he's safe, turn up the music a little bit and try not to feel guilty. My oldest struggled with this, too, but we couldn't stay glued to our house for the first year of her life, so we sometimes had to listen to her cry, or turn up the radio. She lived, and is not a horrible child at all. :) My youngest went through a phase where she hated the car, too, but she got over it. They are kids, and are amazingly resilient. You are not abusing your child by making them be in the car without your constant attention for a few hours. As long as he is safe and cared for, a little bit of fussing will not destroy his psyche.

How about dismantling the current bed, using the headboard for one and the footboard as a headboard for the other, and attaching them (with zip ties so you don't damage them) to a simple Hollywood (metal) bed frame?

A Maid!!!

I have a 3 year old and a 9 month old, and I don't use a diaper bag at all.

In the car is extra wipes/diapers/an extra outfit for each, but honestly, I rarely go to that stash, though it's comforting to know it is there.

In my purse, I toss 2 diapers, a small pack of wipes, an extra pair of panties for the older one (she's potty trained, but there are occasional productive farts), a one-piece outfit for the baby in a bag that I can use to store a pooped-on one, a few small snacks (little bags of craisins, granola bars), and my usual stuff. It's a big purse, but I'd rather carry that than a diaper bag. If we're going for a longer time, I'll put more diapers in the car to refill the purse.

I also have left a stash of diapers of all sizes and some wipes in a box at our church for all to use--good way to use up random extras, and then I don't even have to worry about whether I remembered to refill. It's handy to have in the church nursery.