Tips for Living with a Diaper-Free Baby

Posted on October 6, 2008 by jeannie

As I have previously mentioned, Christian is NOT diaper-free, but very very slowly moving in that direction.

But when I walk into the room and see my baby laying in a puddle of his own poop – whew boy, I get doubly motivated. It looked like somebody had gone and spilled a bucket of mustard paint underneath his butt. Sorry to be so graphic – but that’s what happens when you become a mom: you start talking about poop all the time, because you’re dealing with it all the time. Then later I caught a poo in the potty. The difference in mess factor between scrubbing down a dirty diaper and baby bottom; and simply rinsing a potty into the toilet and wiping his bottom with toilet paper, is immeasurable. Not to speak of the difference in comfort for the baby!

I’ve joined a support group for diaper-free babies from www.diaperfreebaby.org, but I’ve yet to make contact with a real person. That will happen soon I think. They have mentors and support groups all over the world!

I also wanted to share the tips from Ingrid Bauer’s book. These tips helped me the most of anything I’ve read so far.

  • Offer potty opportunity as soon as baby wakes up.
  • Always offer potty opportunity before going out.
  • Make regular pit stops en route.
  • Try to potty when you arrive.
  • Offer potty opp. whenever you undress baby (for bath, changing, or sleep).
  • Choose clothes and diapers that are easy and quick to remove.
  • If using diapers, try cloth diapers without covers. (This is what we’ve been doing.)
  • Make a cuing sound anytime you notice your child going, even if it’s a miss.
  • Act quickly on the slightest thought or intuition about pottying. (Very true!)
  • If one thing isn’t working, try something different; stay flexible. (Christian didn’t like his pink potty, but I let him nurse while he’s sitting on it and now it’s no problem at all.)
  • If you encounter challenges, continue offering regularly, and respect a “no.” (Christian’s “no’s” are loud and clear.)
  • Avoid pressure; stay relaxed and patient.
  • Connect with other like-minded parents. (Working on this…haven’t actually spoken to anybody who practices EC yet.)
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Me and the Little Guy

Posted on October 4, 2008 by jeannie

These are few of our favorites from a photoshoot my friend Jen Bildman shot this summer in my parents’ basement. She’s launching a photography business called Bellies and Beyond specializing in maternity and child photography (in the meantime she teaches photography and English…) These photos haven’t been photoshopped yet, but I didn’t want to wait to share them. The red bump on Christian’s left eye is not a sty, but a hemangioma – a little blood blister that is very very gradually becoming smaller.

Posted in Christian Holden, photography | 5 Comments

An Update on the Bathroom Cleaning Manual

Posted on October 2, 2008 by jeannie

Last month I raved about Jeff Campbell’s book, Speed Cleaning (see the post here). Well, now I’ve begun putting his ideas in practice. That is, I’ve been cleaning house in our regular irregular way, swiping at noticeably smudged surfaces once in while, scrubbing the toilet, but ignoring the shower walls, swiffering once a day – while I’d been trying bits and pieces, I hadn’t done the speed cleaning deal in full force. Yet.

After rooting around in my garage, I found almost every cleaning product and tool Campbell requires. My ostrich feather duster arrived in the post. (I got the premium 27″ at thefeatherdusterdepot.com and it cost $15.) I bought two dozen cheapo unfolded diapers at Babies-R-Us to use as cleaning cloths. I put together a makeshift cleaning work belt. Then I placed the baby in Chad’s arms and tackled the master bedroom bathroom. (Remember, Campbell divides the book into three manuals: bathroom, kitchen, and duster.)

Verdict? His system definitely works and works well. I need to get myself a proper tool belt.

Campbell says that you can clean a bathroom in 18 minutes, with practice and the right tools. It took me 42 minutes – but I had to reread a couple passages in the book to make sure I was doing things in the right order and my tool belt fell apart. I can see that if I get my toolbelt together – it needs to be strong enough to carry two spray bottles, one on each hip – I will reduce my time.

I could also see that once I’ve absorbed the general techniques and the order in which things are cleaned, that I could move through that bathroom like a blazing clean machine.

An example of how specific Campbell is with his directions: Place the carry-all on the floor to the right of the tub. Spray down the shower walls with tile juice without scrubbing while standing in the tub. Then go back to the where you started spraying and scrub until clean without rinsing. Then use a sparing amount of powdered cleanser to get the walls and bottom of the tub. Toothbrush all grout. Throw the soapy brush in the sink. Rinse with shower head and 1-pint container.

A very spare version of the rest of the bathroom:

Use the soapy brush to scrub out the sink.

Hit the inside of the toilet with red juice. Then the outside, including the floor in the immediate vicinity.

Once these three main receptacles are clean work your way around the bathroom, wiping down with red juice, from top to bottom, left to right. Use the feather duster too.

Feather duster technique: squiggle motions across the surface and STOP at the end of the object. This is to keep the dust on the duster and from not billowing into the air to resettle on the just cleaned objects after you leave the room. Rap the duster sharply at your ankle. This is get the dust on the floor where it will be vacuumed, mopped or otherwise wiped up shortly.

And because my friend Laura asked about blinds, here’s Campbell on that topic:

“Lower them to their full length and turn the slats to the closed position so the blinds curve away from you. By grasping the string that runs through them, pull them away from the window so you can reach behind them with your feather duster. Dust them using long downward only strokes at a slow speed so the feather duster can do more dust-catching that dust-storming. Remember, stop the feather duster dead still at the end of each stroke. Now turn the slats forward so the blind curves toward you. Dust the front in the same long, slow downward motions.”

All this is much easier done, than read. Keep in mind, too, that Campbell’s book is illustrated with simple line cartoons.

I’m going to do the Dusting Manual tomorrow.

Heck, if I get my bathroom cleaning down to 30 minutes once a week – I will be stoked!

I can think of better ways to pose with ostrich feathers!

I can think of better ways to pose with ostrich feathers, but I thought I'd spare you the picture of my toilet.

Posted in books, cleaning tips | 2 Comments

Momentarily Distracted from the Job at Hand

Posted on October 1, 2008 by jeannie
Dad giving baby Christian a potty opportunity.

Dad giving baby Christian a potty opportunity.

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Welcome to the Blogosphere, Nathen!

Posted on September 30, 2008 by jeannie

A blog called Nathen’s Miraculous Escape was born yesterday on Nathen’s 37th birthday. You may know him and want to check it out. You may not know him and still want to pop over there.

I remember once a friend chuckling when I arrived on his doorstep for a visit with an armload of books – he said, Jeannie you always come ready to share the new ideas you’re investigating!

Nathen is one of those people for me. I am frequently exposed to new ideas through him. For instance, he was the first (but not the last!) person to tell me about David Allen’s Getting Things Done, Jeff Campbell’s Speed Cleaning, and Danny Dryer’s Chi Running.

He is also an excellent reference on many topics of interest to me: unschooling, swing dancing, music, peer counseling, community living … to name just a few. Nathen’s a real thinker and serious investigator, so when he tackles a subject of interest he does so thoroughly and with sincere curiousity.

Did I mention that he’s a dear friend of both mine and my husband’s? (Nathen is one of Chad’s oldest childhood friends and he gave a moving toast honoring Chad at our wedding reception.) He’s even a good friend to Bella – when she was little she once tearfully asked me, Do you think he’ll wait for me to grow up so we can get married?

I look forward to watching his new blog grow.

Nathen with baby Christian about a month ago.

Nathen with baby Christian about a month ago.

Posted in blogs | 3 Comments

Another way to get heaven from a can…

Posted on September 30, 2008 by jeannie

Being a stay-at-home mom means just that – I spend a lot of time at home these days. I would get out more to see art, but the little dude just hates the car right now, so home (and places within walking distance) it is.

And for me, staying home means spending time in the kitchen and cooking more. Which means more cooking posts than art crit.

Last night I made my very first Key Lime Pie. It was so simple and easy that I’m starting to understand the expression “easy as pie.” The recipe was basic enough (xeroxed from Mark Bittman of course) that I don’t even need to refer to it to write this post. I did use a pre-made crust; the gourmet pie crusts from Trader Joe’s cost a bit more, but they are excellent ($5 for two).

The pie crust needs to be prebaked for 10 minutes.

While the crust is baking: Separate 4 eggs. Lightly beat the yolks, then add one can of sweetened condensed milk, continue beating, and slowly add 1/3 cup key lime juice. (Regular lime juice is supposed to be fine, but key limes are in season here and available at the local farmer’s markets, Trader Joe’s, and CSA baskets…)

Pour the filling into a slightly cooled crust and bake for another 10 minutes at 350.

While the filling is baking, make the meringue: Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt and a pinch of cream of tartar. When they make stiff peaks, add 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar and continue to beat until the meringue is shiny and stiff. Spread the meringue on top of the pie, making sure to anchor it along all the edges. Bake another 10 minutes.

That’s it! Easy-peasy lemon squeezey.

For some strange reason, Bella insists that she loves Key Lime Pie – myself, I don’t know that I’d ever tasted it until I tried my own last night. So I don’t know if it’s authentic, but I did find it to be delicious!

Posted in recipes | 5 Comments

Provence-Style Chicken

Posted on September 26, 2008 by jeannie

I’ve returned both the Bittman cookbooks to the library and there’s a big fat empty space on my bookshelf that I keep reaching towards.

After I sold my oak captain’s chair on craigslist the other day, I decided to use the money to just go out and buy at least the Best Recipes from Around the World – but then Chad looked at me and said quite clearly, Don’t worry about it.

So, I’m trying not to. When it comes to spending money I feel like I’m sitting on my hands. But we seem to be staying within our budget, I just need to not get a wild hare (hair??)

This Provence-style Chicken was one of the last  things I made – it tastes quite French and satisfyingly different than the chicken I normally make. As usual, I serve it over rice even though it is traditionally accompanied by crusty bread.

olive oil for frying

2 chicken thighs

crushed garlic (several bulbs)

2 anchovies, minced, optional

1-2 large onions

1 red bell pepper, seeded, chopped

Large pinch saffron threads (didn’t have these)

1 tsp fresh marjoram (preferred), oregano, or thyme (I used dried oregano)

2 tbsp drained capers

2 c cored and chopped tomatoes

1 cup good-quality black or green olives (I got some nice oil preserved ones from the olive bar at Ralph’s)

Chopped fresh parsley fro garnish

As you can see from the ingredients, this is basically chicken with tomatoes and a few salty things. In a nutshell, brown the chicken thighs well and set them aside. Saute the onions, add the garlic, then the rest of the ingredients along with the chicken and let it simmer for 20 minutes or so. mmmmmmm…….

Posted in recipes | 2 Comments

Heaven in a Can

Posted on September 24, 2008 by jeannie

I’ve seen whoop-ass, London smog, alligator meat in a can – why has nobody ever told me that heaven also comes in a can?

How to make Heaven in a Can: Peel the label off one can of sweetened condensed milk. Boil the can for 4-5 hours (yes, in a pan of water). Let the can cool. Open the can. Voila – heavenly, creamy CARAMEL SAUCE!

I experienced this bizarre recipe yesterday at my (new) friend Sierra’s house. All I can say is, don’t invite anybody over because you’ll want to eat the entire can yourself.

I have a can bubbling on the stove at this very minute.

Here is a link to the same recipe on another blog, where it’s not called caramel, but dulce de leche and is used as an icing on chocolate cupcakes. Check it out here.

Posted in recipes | 4 Comments

Bella the Cheerleader

Posted on September 23, 2008 by jeannie

Bella is no longer swimming, playing soccer, or running. Much to my surprise, she’s cheering – and loving it. This is at a football game last Saturday night. This team competes nationally and wins!

Check her out in the far right corner.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBTNpE1w2MI]

Posted in says bella | 2 Comments

Sci-fi with a Feminine Slant

Posted on September 22, 2008 by jeannie

It ocurred to me while I was reading Stephanie Meyer’s The Host, that I very seldom get to read science fiction written by a woman. That right there explains why I give this 600-page tome a B+; I completely applaud Meyer’s foray into a male-dominated genre.

I’d go further to say that The Host is a better read than any of her Twilight series. I like the fact that Meyer doesn’t use her first “adult” book as an excuse to include a bunch of gratuitious sex and violence, but rather, just so that she can write freely without being concerned about an intended teenage audience.

There is violence – but understandable violence in context of a small group of human survivors living in a world taken over by another (more intelligent and more altruistic!) life form. This is what I mean by a feminine slant – the “invaders” are not portrayed as aggressive fearsome monsters, but gentle, beautiful, creatures who by inhabiting human bodies experience love and loss as humans do – but these “souls” are also horrified by the rage and destruction humans are capable of.

Wait, let me start over: this is more than a story about alien manifest destiny, alien colonialism is just the backdrop for Meyer to explore relationships between allies and friends; between strangers and enemies – for people to be pushed right up against what’s important to them.  The story is experienced through a female protagonist who is trying to make sense of the intensity of love and loyalty her host body still feels towards her lover and younger brother, but she is torn by loyalty to her own species. Love and loyalty drive all the action – and this is much more gratifying for me than a story driven by revenge or greed or anger. And the female-ness is doubled because a female “soul” (Wanderer) is occupying a human woman’s body (Melanie) and between the two of them the reader gets to analyze and understand the dynamics of each person she (“they”) meet through his or her relationships with others.

Yes, there are “aliens,” but like the society in The Giver, another sci-fi written by a woman, the “souls” value harmony and the integrity of the group over individual ambition – and the general feeling of the community of “souls” is peaceful and trusting.

I was hesitant to read The Host, but I enjoyed it afterall. The middle sags just a little bit, but overall I think the writing and story structure is much stronger than any of her books in the Twilight saga.

Posted in books | 1 Comment