Five Favorites: No more poopy diapers & the best bibliophile gift



No more poopy diapers.

Do I need to explain how fantastic this is?  Lucia is now using the potty for #2 with about 100% accuracy.  Other than on our date night last week (which was a favorite in itself!), I can't remember the last time Lucia left us a diaper surprise.  She is still doing #1 in the toilet with about 0% accuracy, but I'm still happy, happy!  

The only problem...we introduced panties and Lucia loves them.  But she just wets them (and the chair/floor underneath her).  I've never been in a rush to potty train her but now that she insists on wearing panties (and she can take off her diapers on her own, even the snaps), I'm hoping we'll get it figured out sooner or later.  I thought Lucia couldn't tell when she had to pee in enough time to tell us, but it turns out she can (don't ask how I know).  Have any of you tried any potty training guides or books?  I've heard good things about this potty training system that claims to have little ones out of diapers in three days.  Anyone have experience with it?

 

Library Embosser.

Thanks to the suggestion of a reader, I ordered this library embosser for my bibliophile, PhD in literature seeking, best friend.  This is probably in the top five best gifts I've ever given!

  Little Girl Dresses. 

Lucia and I will be going to my cousin's wedding later this month and I've been browsing dresses for her.  It turns out, we probably have a dress for her to wear already, but that hasn't stopped me from looking (just looking, I promise!).  I have fallen in love with these flower girl dresses and they're such a reasonable price that they could work for any formal occasion.  My mom loves to get Lucia's Christmas dress each year (we spent HOURS searching for a dress small enough for her first Christmas - she was 20 days old - even though a sleeper would have been good enough for me!), and I am definitely going to be directing her to this site if she asks. 

Blink. 

This book is one of the best books I've read in years!  I can't get enough of it (and I usually read non-fiction in a very slow, measured way).  It discusses first impressions/unconscious thoughts - how we're usually not aware of them, they often greatly differ than what we expect they would be, and how they are often more trustworthy than the conscious processes for reasoning.  Fascinating.  I'm about 3/5 done right now and already have The Tipping Point on my wish list.  I have a feeling I've found a new favorite author.

Simplifying. 

I've been going through our townhouse and clearing out.  Two big bags of clothes are currently in David's truck headed for Goodwill (and we got rid of several more before out move).  I've listed some of Lucia's toys on Craig's list.  I'm working through the piles of papers we accumulate oh-so-easily.  It feels nice to get rid of the extra and for some reason, I feel like I'm ready this time.  In the past, I've had remorse about getting rid of items (you know, that nagging feeling that says, "But maybe, someday, you might actually need it!), but this time, I've been nothing but happy about detaching.  

My only concern is baby stuff.  Maybe mothers of more than one can give me some ideas of what's worth saving and what's best to get rid of.  I'm quite certain that we had too much baby stuff the first time around, and at this point, I'm questioning what we'll really need for the next baby.  Most of Lucia's clothes are being handed down to her cousin (due to arrive any day now!) and to family friends, but what about the big stuff?  Do I keep her infant car seat?  It takes up a lot of room.  Should I just get rid of it and plan to use a convertible car seat from the beginning next time around?  

Can I (sheepishly) admit that anytime I see convertible car seats on amazing sale, I check it against this convertible car sear review website and strongly consider buying one?  But that would be anti-simplifying and actually take up more room than the infant car seat, so I've been able to hold off so far.  I just love a good deal, you know (which is why we have too much to begin with).

Thanks so much for hosting, Hallie!