I finally gave in... using feeds

For a long time I avoided readers and signing up for feeds of the blogs I read. I'm not really sure why, either. Too trendy? I have issues. This is no secret.

Trouble is... I have/had quite a few I like to read. So why not have them sent to my email. Again, I'm not sure. But I didn't. For a long time.

So instead of opening my email and glancing through a list of blog posts for the day, I wasted time checking blogs on my favorites list every day... whether they had posted or not. I'd scroll through, click, wait for the page to load, and then be disappointed that there was nothing new to inspire me.

:(

Then I'd do it all again for the next blog on my list.

And I have three children! Ok... so at the time I had two. That is, I believe, what really got me to rethink things. I was about to have three children 3 and under. I really needed to streamline this blog hopping. So I went for it. I closed my eyes and clicked (ok... not really, have you ever tried to click on something with your eyes closed?) Point is... I clicked!

I clicked the little Feedburner link on someone's blog. Clicked the little invitation to receive posts in my email in another. Slowly, I began signing up for all my regular blogs.

And it is so freeing!

I still do some hopping around... but for those blogs I want to read all the time, they come into my email when they post something new. I have them all assigned to a special folder, so when I have time, I open that folder in my Outlook and glance down the list. Sometimes I delete without reading. Other times I flag something to read later. And when there is time, I read through the list. Most of them I like to click through to read at the actual blog, but if time is really short, I just read them in the email.

Then it occurred to me that, as much as I loved this, I should be offering it to MY readers! So... if you want to simplify your online time, click my Feedburner invitation in the sidebar! And enjoy the freedom it brings (not to mention you won't have to click over on the weeks I neglect the blog!)

Labels: Review

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 12:07 PM 2 Comments

EC... Diaper Free Baby (Updated)

I mentioned Elimination Communication briefly before...

I gave it only passing interest when I first learned of it because, really, it didn't matter much to us. We weren't having anymore babies. Then, several months later, we learned that we are having another baby. Once things slowed down from Christmas, my energy started returning and morning sickness became just that (an occurrence happening in the mornings, and not all day long), I stumbled on Elimination Communication again... this time with more interest. This mommy detailed her journey in EC with each of her children. I still thought it sounded a little crazy, but I was also interested. And my interest was growing. A few weeks later, I looked into it some more. And again a few weeks later. Finally I requested The Diaper Free Baby by Christine Gross-Loh from our local library.

I have to say... I loved it! I already knew the underlying ideas behind Elimination Communication. I had pieced them together searching around the internet. Here, I want to give you some of the basics as I understand them (I have no personal experience of my own yet, so I'm not an expert by any stretch of the word... just sharing what I've learned from this book and other resources.)

So what is EC?
Elimination Communication (EC) is a method of communicating with your baby about a very simple process... elimination! The basic premise is that everybody poops and God has built in, from birth, a desire and ability to eliminate... without doing it all over ourselves! Author Christine Gross-Loh says, "Believe it or not, your child was not born wanting to go to the bathroom in a diaper. Like other mammals, human babies are born with the instinct not to soil themselves. It is not a natural or pleasant feeling for them to sit in their own waste; they are born aware of the sensation of going to the bathroom." (p. 1-2) (Updated: See comments for discussion on the whole "mammals" idea.) She tells us that even our newborn babies have the ability to give signals of going to the bathroom, before and during elimination. ECing is a process of learning those signals and teaching our babies what to do with them.

This process of EC isn't infant potty training. The goal is not to have a potty trained baby at 5 months, or 8 months or 12 months. The process of EC is exactly that... a process. I can remember a number of people commenting when I was potty training Tornado last year... that I was the one being trained, not him. That by taking him potty every 30 minutes to an hour I was the one being trained. It didn't bother me... we were using less diapers. And now that I think about it, I was making it possible for him to be cleaner... to not sit in his own waste.

It is very much the same thing with ECing your infant, at least in the beginning.


So how does it work?
It all starts with observing your baby. Whether you begin immediately after birth, or wait a couple weeks or months, the first step is to take off that diaper (other options are available too) and pay attention. Pay attention to when your baby potties, and when he poops. Is it right after feedings? During feedings? A half an hour later? Is it every 20 minutes in those early days, or can he hold it in almost an hour now? Pay attention!

Also pay attention to what your baby does right before and during elimination. Is there a concentrated look on his face? A noise she makes? Does she kick her feet around when she was otherwise being still? If he's playing, does he stop everything all of a sudden and get a far away look? The "cues" to look for are as diverse as the babies we have. There are a number of other suggestions of what to look for in the book!

When you do see baby "going", make a cue-ing noise for them. Recommended is a "psss, psss" noise for potty and little grunt noises for pooping, though you can use whatever you are comfortable with. This helps them learn to connect that noise with the elimination. That is supposed to come in handy later!


Then What?
Once you are ready to get started, just do it. The Diaper Free Baby recommends starting simple. Apparently most babies won't eliminate while asleep, so the easiest "catch" (EC speak for getting your baby's potty or poop in a receptacle on purpose) is when they first wake up. While you are changing that diaper anyway (if you are using diapers), hold baby over the toilet (other receptacles mentioned are the bathroom sink, bath tub, a pre-fold cloth diaper, or a "potty bowl"). By holding baby as they describe (numerous holds for different ages, etc.) and "cue-ing" him (with that "psss" noise), he should go if he has to.


Misses and being overwhelmed already
There are two things that I noticed most as I was reading the book. The first is that "misses" (EC speak for accidents) happen and there is nothing wrong with them. Sometimes "misses" happen because we are still learning or because baby is changing her pattern or because other parts of life pulled us away. They happen and we need to relax and take them as part of the learning process to communication with our babies. Clean up the "miss", talk about it with your baby, and get ready for the next time. (Note: "misses" from EC'd babies are supposed to be less of a pain than blow-outs from diapered babies... and I believe it!)

The other underlying message I read throughout the book was that any amount of EC still helps your baby. The point of EC, as she would put it, is to help your baby to keep the awareness of his elimination. The author stresses the fact that even part time (as little as an hour a day or a week) can be helpful. If life is too much, and all you can do is talk to your baby about his elimination while you change his diaper, you are still helping him.

I am greatly encouraged by this whole concept of any amount is good, and if fact, it is this whole idea that has me eager (and unafraid) to try this myself. I'm hoping to be able to EC this next baby from birth... to spend time diaper free (though over protected and absorbent blankets, etc.) observing and "pottying" my baby boy. And if nursing is a problem, or my other kids get sick and I just can't handle the extra right then... I can feel guiltless when I put a diaper on him to get us through. No matter what, the next morning when he wakes up, or the very next diaper change if I'm ready, we can try the potty again!


Overall, I highly recommend The Diaper Free Baby by Christine Gross-Loh! What do you think??? Interested?

Labels: Getting Ready for Baby, Review

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 7:10 AM 5 Comments

Review: New Baby Signing Time

A few weeks ago I received an email from the people at Signing Time. It's good news. During the month of October, they are releasing two new Baby Signing Time DVDs and they wanted me to preview them and write a review. Of course I wasted no time... once I had My Beloved's blessing that is... in responding. What a special blessing for me. First of all, we love Signing Time at my house; secondly, what an honor for them to ask me!

And what perfect timing God arranged for. We had returned the Signing Time video we had to the library and didn't get another when Tornado became sick and was diagnosed with RAD. What do you do with a 21 month old who can't run around or get worked up? Monday morning the mail arrived, and with it, my previews of the new Baby Signing Time DVDs! Thank you Lord. Tornado was thrilled and Signing Time came to our rescue again! And we watched these new volumes many times that week!

So what do I think of them?? What is my review? I think Rachel and company did a great job yet again! Volume 3 introduced Tornado to weather and nature (among other things). Just this last week as it poured down on us at church, he said clear as day "rain". I'd never heard him say it before and didn't know he knew it. It wasn't until this week when we watched it together again that I realized where he'd learned it. Not only is he learning signs, but learning what things are called and how to say them as well.

Check out a quick sampling from Volume 3:


Volume 4 introduced him to basic emotions as well as a number of other things. I was most excited about the emotions. That can be a tricky thing to teach an almost 2 year old, but somehow with pictures, songs and signing, Rachel makes it look easy.

Check out a bit from volume 4:


Once again, fun animation, mixed with real children and Rachel, herself, come together to make a fun way for my little one to learn, not just sign language, but all the things our little ones learn at this age. Not only does he understand so much, but we also have the opportunity to communicate with one another, whether it is an animal he sees through the window or something he needs to tell me, like what he wants for lunch or that his sister is crying.

Signing Time gives my little one an entertaining way to learn new words and signs. Baby Signing Time brings these things to his level. I am so thankful for the opportunity to use these resources with my babies and I look forward to more from Signing Time.

Labels: Learning for Little Ones, Mommy's Tool Box, Review

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 8:09 PM 2 Comments

Review: The Sneaky Chef

It's official... I've found the newest best thing since sliced bread! Ok, so that may be taking things a little far, but it's pretty cool just the same. We talk quite a bit about menus and nutrition for our little ones around here (ok, so we've been slacking on the nutrition a bit since Sweet Pea was born, but that doesn't mean I'm not working on it behind the scenes.) The more I look into all the nutrients we are supposed to have and where they can be found and how many of what foods and which foods how often and all that stuff we need (can anyone say run on?), the more I see how very difficult it is to have children and too feed them at the same time. The whole process can make a person mad (and by that I mean crazy, not angry... just clarifying.)

So several weeks ago I turned to Google for help, searching for recipes that slip veggies and such into other things. I thought it would be easier to get all those nutrients in if the main dish part of our meal also had a little something extra. Then there it was... The Sneaky Chef! I promptly emailed the publicist asking for a copy of her book to review and give away on my blog and she promptly sent one to me. Since then I've been reading and sampling and I have a review for you. :)

Author Missy Chase Lapine gives us The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals. In the book she paints a picture of what many of us moms go through on a daily basis. The takes these things from her own life with two young girls, both picky eaters. Lapine talks about reasons our children are picky and a handful (or more) of strategies to help them get the nutrients they need. Differing from the suggestions my other child nutrition book gave only slightly, Lapine actually tells us how to do it... step by step.

I heartily recommend this book. There I said it. It was an easy read and has tons of great and easy to implement techniques for getting that nutrition into our children. The best part is that she uses those recipes that your children already love, incorporating fruits, veggies and fiber into Mac n Cheese, chicken fingers, pizza, and even brownies! The list goes on! By adding purees you make ahead to everyday recipes your children are getting spinach, cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries and more... without a fight!

The only negative aspect I found in this book was the "sneaky" component. Though she does a great job of justifying her sneakiness, telling us it's no different than any other mis-truth we would give or detail we would omit for their own good, the idea is still not something I believe would honor the Lord in my home. As you read and implement the principles Lapine teaches, you must remember that it is still written from the world's perspective. Be sure you read it, like everything else you read, through the lens of Scripture.

So what does this mean? Can we not use "The Sneaky Chef" in our own kitchens? I think we can. My plan is to incorporate many of these recipes (especially the animal crackers, granola bars and cookies) into my own recipe box, but not to hide the ingredients from or lie to my children (and let's face it, My Beloved too) about what's inside. Really and truly, Tornado is too young to care at this point what is in the foods he loves. By the time he is, it won't faze him at all that cauliflower is in his mac n cheese... it's all he'll know.

Some of you may have children, like Lapine, who are uninterested in a food simply because of what's in it, even though they've never tasted it. You may need to figure out your own way to go about things. You may choose not to divulge the ingredients list before they eat the brownies or spaghetti, but really... do you tell them the ingredients of the foods you make now?

Over all this is a great book and I believe it will help many of you with your food battles!

To win a copy of this book (only slightly used as I had to review it first), leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a winner this weekend!!! See here for more details on the giveaway (like where I'll ship). And at the end of the week I'll have a link for those of you who don't win the book to get your own! :)

There you have it... my kitchen tip. Find more here.

Labels: In the Kitchen, Passing it On, Raising Children, Review

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 10:33 AM 85 Comments

Product Review: Stain Remover for baby clothes, etc.

Well, it's finally time. I promised at the beginning of this year (wow, has it really been 6 months?) that I would have some reviews for you. Well, I didn't expect this to be my first one (nor did I think it would take this long), but I'm feeling the love right now and wanted to share it with you all, because like me, I'm sure you've found yourself asking the following question:

How do you get baby poop out of clothes?
Baby poop, like spit up and a myriad of unfortunately bright first foods , is often the end of many an adorable baby outfit. I was crushed the first time Sweet Pea had a blow out in one of her new outfits. I had never found anything that worked perfectly when Tornado was that small, and even if I did get it treated immediately, it was hit or miss. Honestly though, I used the same stuff then as I do now... only this time I read the directions and, get this... followed them. I know.

I had just been discussing with a friend, the week before, the permanency of baby poop stains and how there is really nothing you can do about it. Then, that very next week, by what I believe is the grace and sovereignty of God, I noticed the directions (including diagrams I believe.)

So what is it??? Oh, sorry, I haven't said yet have I?

I'm somewhat known (at least by my husband) for procrastinating less desirable jobs as long as possible. This means that, often, adorable little girl clothes sit a day or more before even being rinsed out... yet Pre-Spot has still gotten out every stain so far. I just rinse out and rub out as much of the stain as possible with cold water, then spray on the Pre-Spot and rub it in to the fibers. Let it sit as recommended (though one time I didn't let it sit at all), and then put it in the wash with the next load. I tell you... it's magic!

I'm sure there are other products that could do it too, but we have tried to omit harsh chemicals from our home, and that is one of Melaleuca's trade marks!

This is what works for me! Have you found anything that works great for you???

For other Works for Me Wednesday posts, go here!

Labels: Mommy's Tool Box, Raising Children, Review

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 12:00 AM 4 Comments