Returning to the Basics: Potty Training & CP

Once upon a time, this blog centered on my daughter Darsie and cerebral palsy and since then its focus has obviously developed and changed somewhat. I'd like to keep it focused on Darsie, Elise, family, friends, and food and sort out the Etsy and crafting stuff to another venue. Like I've mentioned, we're working on a new site but it is going slow (because of me, I will admit).

Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Darsie will be turning four next month (!!!!) and I've recently started to feel a bit of pressure to potty train her. And I understand that it is a step we need to take but I want to take it slowly. I've always thought that the child should lead and here I feel like I'm expected to take the lead and enforcing the process.

We've had mixed success over the last year or periods where D would routinely use the bathroom and then periods where she wouldn't. She responded well to rewards for awhile and then didn't. It is such a mixed bag. She is a very strong willed girl with the nature that she wants to please. Mixed with the cerebral palsy and the idea that we don't know how much sensation she has in her bladder, it has been a frustrating process for both sides (her and us).

Our most recent "process" has put her back in regular diapers (can you believe that Darsie and Elise can wear the same size?) and it is had moderate success. She can undo the velcro sides and "let them drop" herself whereas with pull-ups she just didn't have the hand strength in her right hand to do so. So as long as she isn't wearing pants, she can take her diaper off to use the toilet on her own. And she has, a few times just not consistently.

So if anyone has any suggestions or advice or books or web sites that deals with these issues, I'd love to hear about it.

A weekend etsy listing

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14324881

We all love taking photographs of our wee babies and watching as they grow. Those first 12 months are a period of such miraculous change!

I've created a set of 13 Gerber cotton tagless onesies with the numbers 0-12 appliquéd and stitched to them. I've prewashed them in gentle baby detergent and dried them without dryer sheets so they are ready to be worn and photographed upon arrival.

How adorable will it be once the final year is up and you have 13 months of your baby wearing a onesie with the corresponding number?

The photos only show 0-2 but you will be receiving a set of THIRTEEN white cotton onesies with the corresponding numbers.

Sizes will correspond appropriately for the month. If you are expecting a big or small baby, convo me for "custom" sizing.

Please convo me for different available fabrics.

These are handmade by me in a smoke free home.

$65 for thirteen appliqued onesies.

Smitten Like A Kitten

How cool would it be if I were posting that we had gotten a kitten? Well, we didn't, sorry to disappoint.

What I am smitten like a kitten with are two pieces of fabric that my friend Betty sent me! She used linen and stenciled on this great, no FANTASTIC, whale pattern. One is this lovely, shimmery blue paint and the other is white.





I have to run out the store to pick up a couple of items, but I'm shooting back a package to Betty in the next week. It isn't cool hand-printed fabric like she sent me but it is a Shannon-creation.

Thank you!!!

A Couple of New Etsy Listings

Jeff and I are busily working at putting together a different site for my Etsy/Sewing stuff, so please stay tuned as this blog will revert back to being more family-orientated.

I just listed two new items today. If you like them but are interested in a different fabric selection, just e-mail, leave a comment, or convo me through Etsy.

Plastic Bag Holder

MommyDaisy asked me awhile back about plastic shopping bag holders. I searched high and low and even put together a couple of different prototypes before this one was created. It has an open top for easy stuffing and a drawstring bottom so you can customize the opening size. It holds approximately 10 bags. $7 each and $2 for shipping/$1 if combined with another item. Please excuse the horrible photo, all of our doors are unfinished.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14098224




Flip Video Camera and Electronic Devices Pouch

I love my Flip Ultra Video Camera but I DESPISED the pouch that came with it so I developed my own! This one is lined inside on the two larger sides (where the viewing screen and lens are located) with wool blend felt to help protect your item from fingerprints and lint. $8 each with $2 shipping or $1 if combined with something else.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=14098545

Little People

Is there anything sweeter than the back of a little baby sitting on the floor engrossed in...anything? Oh wait, she finally likes the kitty that I made her for Christmas. You can kind of see the head on the left side of her own head.



Look at that crazy hair!!!

Or just their innate sense of inquisitiveness?

Crayon Rolls!

So, crayon rolls are up here.



Here are the two fabric choices that I am currently offering the rolls in. Numbers and Apples & Pears.


Just to warn you all, I am running short on my numbers fabric already. I'm going to be searching high and low for some more tomorrow but in the time being, I'm limited to only THREE more rolls in the number fabric. I have plenty of the apples & pears fabric.

In addition to the ties I've previously showcased, I'm offering the rolls with a snap strap. I find this easier and neater than the ties which were a bit cumbersome. You can order a roll with either a snap strap or a set of ties for the same price.


My crayon rolls hold 24 crayons and are shipped to you stocked with 24 Crayola crayons. For the month of August I am also including free shipping.


My dear husband is currently helping me set up another web site so that I can more easily showcase my "products". I will let you all know when it is up and running and operational.

And to hear Darsie's rendition of "Three Little Piggies", click here: