What's New?

Hooray!  IKEA trip today!  I picked up some more washcloths, because you can never have too many when it comes to cleaning up after toddlers!  I also got a couple more plastic bibs for days when we have more than two kiddos here.  They pair perfectly with my homemade bandana bibs for the ones who are learning to drink from an open cup.

Here's a photo and similar tutorial for our bibs.  We used cheap white utility towels and bandanas from the men's department.  Both came from Walmart:

I also bought the LATT table and chair set for $20.  $20!!  Such a steal!

I have plans to pimp it out like this one.  I especially like how they rigged it with a roll of craft paper underneath!:

But for now I just set it up because I couldn't wait.  It's easy to reassemble so I can take it apart and stain it later.

BONUS: I made this doll bed with the box it came in!

The kids are going to LOVE it!  Click the above photo for the tutorial with measurements.  I love that I can fold it flat when we get bored of it and can put it away for a while.  And if a piece of the bed gets smushed or bent, I can just trace and cut a new piece!

Tips:

• Use a box cutter to cut the pieces.  Use a scissors to cut the slots and round the corners.  
• For pieces you need to make two of, cut one and trace it instead of measuring a new one.  
• Make two cuts really close to each other to make the slots and tear out the strip.
• Use a coffe cup or glass to make the rounded corners.  Just trace the edge.

Click on the photo below for a tutorial for making a doll bed linen set from a recycled pillowcase:

New (to us) Diapering Supplies!

Check out this awesome lot of cloth diapering supplies I got recently for just $35! (And they delivered!)

  
The ones I'm most excited about are the 6 colorful ones in the center and 4 white ones to the right.  Those are lightweight waterproof covers with a cloth feel from Thirsties and similar.  They have many plastic snaps for adjusting to all baby sizes.  These retail for around $15-20 each.  They have pockets in the front and back to tuck in ad insert like a triple folded flat or pre-folded Gerber diaper, no Snappi necessary unless the child is smaller and the diaper insert is moving around in there.

There was also 6 small waterproof pants like the Dappi ones we already use.

There are also 6 Baby Duck cloth diapers that have thick, durable homemade liners.  They are for smaller infants and I was told they work great for when you're out and about and can't change the diapers as often.  I will be taking advantage of these for our strolls this summer!

Also included were several, waterproof and not, toddler size cloth diapers and training pants.  A few have liners.  Since they don't have a waterproof cover, you  can see when they're wet, and hopefully not dripping, and are perfect for EC (Montessori Elimnation Communication).  That allows the child to feel and the care giver to see when a child needs to use the potty and help determine their diapering and potty schedule and needs.  It also provides an instantaneous moment for the care giver to communicate with words, noise cues and gestures, what is taking place.

Elimination Communication is not for everyone but if this is something you want to look into later, please let me know and I'd be happy to participate however, this process works best when both the parents and the care giver are doing it at the same time.

Here's a couple of inspiring articles to read on toilet training and pre-toilet training skills:

5 Things you can do with your BABY to make it easier to potty train them later

Toilet Learning vs. Toilet Training

Several blog entries on Toilet Learning at How We Montessori

Also, check out this previous post for the basics of cloth diapering and what I've learned along the way.

What's New: Bunny Rattle and Montessori Bell

Here's two new Infant toys for the babies.

The first is a plush baby rattle made from a lone such that lost it's partner.  It contains a bell thanks to my kitties who lent one of their jingle balls for it's construction.

Here's the tutorial if you want to make your own, there's another style as well.

The other is a Montessori bell.  Made for batting, grasping and kicking skills when dangled above a baby on their back.  It's equipped with a loop of elastic for a bit of give if the infant pulls on it.

Here's one you can buy on Etsy if you don't want to make your own.