Family Life Resources

Alpine Village Family January 27th, 2008

Baby potties are a necessity, and something we probably don’t think about until it’s time to get one. Finding the right potty can make all the difference in the world when it is time to start training a toddler out of diapers. If you have the wrong potty, it could actually make matters much more difficult than they need to be and cause you and your child a lot of needless frustration.

Baby potties make excellent baby Christmas gifts. Many experts agree that one can never have too many baby potties, as one goal of training baby to use the toilet is to give the baby success experiences. In the early days of training, a potty will need to be available as soon as the child expresses the need to go, so having more baby potties will increase the chances of making it to the potty. Therefore, if you are searching for baby Christmas gifts, baby potties are always an appropriate choice. If you do not wish to buy a baby potty, potty training accessories such as books or dolls are also great baby Christmas gifts.

There is a dizzying array of baby potties currently available on the market. Experts say that you should seek a model with firm back and thigh support. Arm rests or handles can also make the child feel more secure. If you select a standalone unit, make sure that there is an adequate splashguard and a removable bowl for easy cleaning. Some baby potties teach children to flush as well, using music as an incentive for pushing the handle.

Baby potties haven’t always been the user friendly models we see today. In earlier times, a potty chair may have been made from wood with leather padding and a ceramic or plastic bowl inserted under the center of the seat. Modern methods of construction include molded plastic shaped to fit the curves of your child’s body or soft, cushioned rings.

Another design idea that is quite popular in baby potties is the trainer seat. This seat snaps onto a traditional toilet, over the regular seat. The trainer seat is small and comfortable for a child. Better models include handles and even leg/foot rests. Most trainer seats snap into the toilet lid to get them out of the way for adult toilet use.

Toilet training baby boys can be a challenge. They might see their father or brothers standing at the toilet and wonder why they can’t do that too. There is a product on the market that could help, and it is called the mini-urinal. The mini-urinal attaches to the front of the toilet and hangs low enough for a young boy to use, however, you will have to offer some explanations to your guests if you have only one bathroom. In the end, all that matters is your child’s comfort so he or she can learn more easily. Baby potties need to be one that the child will actually use.

• Family Helps , Family Life Resource , Parenting Helps
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Alpine Village Family January 24th, 2008

I know it’s not nice of me and certainly not neighbourly but man am I sick of hearing about our neighbour’s vacations! This time they and some friends will be staying in Hilton Head rentals - so the kids can all play together of course! Last month they just went to Cuba for pete’s sake!

I know it’s just because I’m jealous and I know that that isn’t very grown-up of me I just wish I could get away too and relax or just enjoy some different scenery for few days… I’d love to go to Hawaii one day .

• Crystal's General Musings
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Alpine Village Family January 24th, 2008

I’m thinking about a few long baths, a pedicure (done by me of course - I’m not paying $60 ), a manicure (also done by me) and maybe a facial too - with one of those peel off pouches .

I’m feeling pretty worn out to be honest and I think that will all help me to refresh and revitalize myself. I’ll just need to stock up on a few body shop supplies first. I need a couple scents of bubble bath, some new nail buffers and a facial packet - I’m thinking of the cucumber melon one

• Body Image Musings
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Alpine Village Family January 24th, 2008

My mom told me the other day that she wants a recliner like the one she had when I was really little. They just don’t make them the same anymore she tells me. The thing is, the new ones coming out now do recline but the foot rest doesn’t go higher than your heart anymore - the old ones used to do that though.

I see her point, but because a recliner from the 70’s would be in awful shape, I’ve been looking up new ones that might fit the bill. I came across the zero gravity recliner that seems to do exactly what she’d like. Now I just have to figure out how to get one to her in Ontario . That’ll be a whole other challenge…

• Crystal's General Musings
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Alpine Village Family January 20th, 2008

I keep thinking to myself “why pay for a home with a finished basement when I could do it myself?” I know lots of people would think I’m crazy - only a man can do that! - but I don’t see why, if a guy could figure it out, why couldnt I??

I know I’d need to take lots of classes at Home Depot about tiles, framing walls and Cat 5 cable, but I can’t help but think that I could do it. Why not??

• Crystal's General Musings
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Alpine Village Family January 16th, 2008

At work we decided to have a weight loss competition. I’m happy to say that, this morning when I weighed in, I was down 2 pounds. That’s great news for two reasons. One, I want to lose twenty pounds so I’m 10% done . The second reason is that, had I gained weight, I’d have had to pay $5 .

I’m going to bring in some exercise this next week though. I really want that weight off as fast as possible! Bring on the gym shoes and the elliptical!! Woo Hoo!!

• Weight Loss
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Alpine Village Family January 14th, 2008

It’s true. Sad, yes, but very true. A friend phoned to tell me that there is a big sale on at Old Navy and I’m just too tuckered to care. AND it ends today! I know that I should go and get some clothes stocked up for next year for the kids but… well, I’m not going to.

I feel bad about it. If it was a sale on frivolous things I don’t need like home theater sconces and bakeware, that would be one thing. BUT, the sale is on kids’ stuff so that’s where I get stuck. Now that I think about it, I think I’ll just go have a nap and cut myself some slack. After all, there’ll be another sale - there are always sales out there somewhere!

• Crystal's General Musings
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Alpine Village Family January 12th, 2008

OR would you rather have it explained to you so you can do it yourself? Hands down I’m the latter. I want to understand exactly how to do things so that I can do it later on my own without asking for help.

Thing is, Hubby always fixes things around the house and never tells me how he did any of it. So, though I’d love to know how to use HDMI splitters and how to trouble-shoot our wireless modem, I have no idea . I seriously think I’m going to have to stalk him while carrying a pen and paper next time something goes wrong LOL!!

• Crystal's General Musings
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Alpine Village Family January 10th, 2008

Every time I turn around the magazines are showing yet another celebrity trekking off to rehab. At first I feel a “good for them for recognizing they have a problem and dealing with it”. Then, a month later when they’ve been out for a while and are returning, I start to wonder if they were really at a drug rehab facility to get better or just for publicity.

I mean really! Come on! I know being a celeb must be very stressful and the temptation must be huge BUT how at this rate of returns to “try again to get clean” I’m surprized celebs are even bothering. Either that or they really didn’t TRY in the first place

• Crystal's General Musings
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Alpine Village Family January 10th, 2008

If you want to make a special gift even more endearing, try having your baby gifts personalized. Traditional items, such as silver baby spoons and bronzed baby shoes are commonly engraved with the baby’s name and date of birth, but there are other items, such as blankets, pillows, and frames that can be personalized as well. When you think about it, anything can be personalized, even the furniture! The only limitation is your imagination.

Personalized baby clothes are also popular. While personalizing small children’s clothes is generally discouraged due to the possibility of predators learning the child’s name, personalized baby clothes may be safely given and enjoyed. Baby gifts personalized by the giver rather than ordered with the baby’s name already applied generally fall into the categories of clothes or blankets, as simple personalization is fairly easy on fabric.

Porcelain baby booties are highly popular baby gifts, personalized with the baby’s name, birth date and perhaps parents’ names as well. These baby booties are usually hand painted and quite striking, and you can order porcelain baby booties from a wide variety of internet stores.

Silver has always been considered a traditional baby gift. Silver spoons, frames, and cups look so elegant with the baby’s name, date of birth, and birth weight engraved on the silver baby gift. Elegance needn’t come with a hefty price tag either. If you can’t afford real silver, another option might be sterling silver, silver plate or stainless steel.

Most of the time, purchasers have baby gifts personalized by the store where the gift is purchased. However, this is not always necessary. If you wish to have baby gifts personalized after purchase, you have a couple of options. If the item is simple or you are crafty, personalizing the gift yourself is meaningful and beautiful.

For difficult items or if you do not feel comfortable doing the work yourself, having baby gifts personalized by a professional is possible. Fine jewelry stores generally have a jeweler on staff that can perform fine engraving work, allowing you to have already purchased silver baby gifts personalized. A good seamstress can personalize virtually any fabric item through embroidery or other techniques. A decorative painter who is familiar with ceramics can personalize a porcelain item.

While the concept is not new, having baby gifts personalized is still one of the most thoughtful gifts new parents can receive. Whether it’s a photo blanket or silver baby spoons, personalizing makes the gift that much more of a treasure and keepsake.

• Baby Showers , Family Life Resource , Gift Helps
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