A Family Scrap Book.

Our family has been very fortunate to have a wonderfully run Metis Centre (servicing First Nations, Metis and Innuit) in our community.  We have benefited grately from the beautiful site, neighbouring park and the programs.

The baby centric programs offer a free photo shoot each summer.  Last year we got great infant pics of littlest Monkey, daddy monkey and me.  This year it was almost the whole family (Monkey #2 wasn't there).

Following the photo shoot we get a jump drive of 15 photos to print and do what we wish with.  Our family got 51! I didn't print all 51 but I did get five 8x10's and many 4x6's.

Then I went to dollar tree and dollarama and loaded up with affordable scrap book items and some budget items like a binder and photo pages to hold it all.  Also some computer paper for full size pages.

Cocoa puffs and I organized and planned and played things out.  Eventually we put it all together.

I am so impressed and it was great mom and daughter time.  The subject and colours all flow great.  Of course we started with the family shot.  Not the best pic of anyone but we were all facing the camera, an accomplishment with 7 people.

We have the spring babies and fall babies (minus #2)

The girls and the boys

Mommy and daddy.

We flow through the kids.

The photographer took tonnes of baby Monkey.

And lastly daddy monkey and I....although for some reason the circle under my eye is super inhanced :/ but I liked this one better over all.

See it can be done on a budget :) yeah it clearly isn't a $60 scrap book, but that's fine, it's a regular family scrap book.  And I am thrilled.

this week in potty land

So we took 2 days off but Monkey wanted his undies so back on they went and I asked a Facebook friend about where she is at with EC (toddler the same age), and an IRL friend who is old hat EC.  She suggested I think of this time with an EC (elimination communication) mind set.

Yes Monkey is showing just pre potty ready awareness so use it all to talk about it.  Oh look you had a pee.  This one is in your (undies/diaper/potty) etc.  And on aand on, no pressure on him or me.  Just knowing I am giving him the words and concepts that he will soon be ready to use.

Today was interesting in that Monkey reacted to a wet diaper with being whiny, but wet undies by taking them off.

 I  am happy with this (but dread him doing that if he poops in them lol)
  He clearly prefers his undies.  I don't know why cuz he can't tell me yet and why is a complex thing to answer.

I guess knowing why isn't as important as seeing it as a step and supporting it.

It is exciting to see him learn and grow though.

Monkey Undies With A Decorative Knit

Yesterday my order from Simplifi Fabrics came.  I ordered a cute safari knit print for some more Monkey undies.  1/2 meter was enough for 5 cuts but I did 4 (hoping to trim out a sweater with the rest).

To add a decorative knit to your Monkey undies (pattern here) just cut a third core peicw using your knit and lay it over the absorbent core prices.

To help prevent slipping while adding leg cuffs and waist band I basted the three layers together.  Ibuaed the diamond stitch but zigzag would work too.

potty training: it's OK to try again later

So my lil Monkey is nearing potty training age.  He will be 16 months on the 28th.  The training pants (monkey undies) are made and in progress of making more.  Potty training plans are in place.  We are practicing in the mornings.  But he isn't ready yet.

How do I know he isn't ready yet?  Well little clues.  The main one being when he peed on the floor yesterday he didn't seem all that aware.  He isn't in anyway fascinated by the pee he gets in the potty either.  His potty success is entirely based on my timing.

There are signs we are getting close though.  He tries to pull off diaper or undies if he poops.  He likes flushing the toilet when I dump his potty.  This is awesome as it scares a few toddlers.  He isn't resistant to my attempts.

So what path do I take?  I am getting him on the potty in the morning.  I am not pushing.  If he is done I encourage one more try then let it go.  When he gets undies wet I show him, touch it.  Tell him he had a pee.  And it would be fun if he gets his pee in the potty.  I am not holding high expectations.  I will keep looking for readiness every 7-10 days.  I do not want to miss that window! I also do not want to frustrate h.  It can be a careful balance.

Potty training #4; potty fear and losing the window

Potty training #4 started easy.  I thought he would be the youngest one trained.  He was a talker which made things easy and he had siblings using the potty.  Cocoa puffs was his little hero and he followed her everywhere.  He started at 16 months.  By 18 months he was pretty much day trained but occasionally needed a reminder.  He was also using the big toilet.  He was nervous about the big toilet and wanted me to hold both his hands.  I was OK with this.  It had been a smooth easy ride.

Then one day I was helping my dad and left the kids with their dad (I was married to a real arse at the time).  I told him about monkey #4, that he was nervous so please hold his hands and reassure him he would not fall into the toilet.  You'd think a dad would know this, but that's how little time he actually spent with us.

According to my daughters he was busy playing video games and told  Monkey 4 not to be a pussy and just go sit on the toilet.  Cocoa puffs went with him.  She was 3.5 and tiny, she was smaller then monkey 4.  He fell in the potty and Cocoa puffs couldn't get him out.

I came home to him still in tears.  He wouldn't sit on a toilet or potty.  There was a lot of tears and eventually I said he would need to go back in diapers and we would re learn when he was a little bigger.  By 2 I was trying again but we had missed the window.  He seemed to be completly un concerned.  By 2.5 we were still at it and failing.  At my wits end I started saying it was unacceptable.  Diapers are for babies.  And I gave all potty trained kids a treat at the end of the day for a day with out paccidents.  That worked and he trained with in the week.

I wish I had never left him with his dad.  I wish I had gently  insisted he face the fear and use the potty.  Missing the window was a nightmare and frustrating for us both.

PDF patterns are coming soon!

I have made a few patterns that are all my own (not mods) and I have found a community member willing to make them into PDFs to print and download (free of course).   I'll keep you all posted!

Woo hop!
Pic for cuteness

Potty Training #3: older siblings and night training lesson for mom

I have to admit, Monkey #3 was so easy, and I'm not sure I get to take the credit lol.  Monkey 3 is affectionately known as cocoa  puffs.  And with her I had the benefit of two siblings using the potty, and (due to #2) always saying, go pee!  She trained watching her siblings.  Mostly monkey 2.  Cocoa puffs and him were a riot together.

She was super short and needed a step to get to the potty but she didn't like it cuz her sibs used the toilet.  Mostly she climbed up on the potty to get to the toilet.  I always always sure she would fall in.  She didn't.  She did however decide she should pee like a boy lol.  And somehow it worked, and girl had aim.  She day trained really quickly.
She did not night train though till almost a year later when at 2.5 I found a very tiny potty and put it in her bedroom by the night light.  Tiny kid had a tiny bladder, and fear of walking out if her room at night.  The potty in her room fixed the issue in one night.

When lil Monkey is ready to night train I will keep one in his room.  Because of monkey 2, doing so with his brothers wasn't feasible.  Also after dinner night trainers and young children in my house only have sips of water or a very quick nursing just to wet their whistle.  I don't allow drinks in bedrooms, which helps the three year old plays for water when bed time refusal kicks in.  Night training is easier when nursing is over but it can iccur while still nursing.

I should have thought of a solution sooner (cuz hind sight is 20/ 20).  Let kids have what they need to potty train, and make use of siblings.  They are sometimes the greatest teachers.

Potty training #2: intellectual disabilities & (later) regression.

Monkey #2 has "non verbal learning disorder", which means he doesn't learn non verbal things - anything visual.  I didn't know that at the time, he was diagnosed at 6 years.

He had no interest in pictures in stories and wanted me to make up stories.  He doesn't know if someone is happy, proud, disappointed .  In his world the world thinks, feels and believes whatever he is thinking, feeling, saying etc.  This is known as an undeveloped sense of mind.  You could cheer him on all you wanted - no effect.  I sensed this back then but didn't understand.

It took a while to train him.  And he only had to pee if he said so.  Very frustrating.  I had to make him want to.  Then I had to get him to empty his whole bladder cuz he'd drop a squirt to get what he wanted then pee his pants minutes later.  And with no sense of social norms he didn't care.

Treats and peeing on Cheerios was a big thing.  He was trained by 2.5 with LOTS of persistence.   Problem was I had to then train him to do so without one.  Cuz you don't want to be giving  kid rewards forever.  His teachers aren't going to either.

Then at age 4 he decided playing trumped peeing.  He also started to pee anywhere.  At that point we were talking wilful disobedience.  And yes he got in trouble for that.  I know today's advice says not to.  And yeah, don't punish a toddler.  But if your 4 year old refuses to pee in the toilet you need to respond how you normally would for disobedience.

Now most kids aren't in Monkey 2's shoes.  But most kids would rather play then take the time to pee.  And toddlers also have an undeveloped sense of mind, difference is theirs is developing.

School was hard.  I had to explain to his teachers they would need to insist he pee before recess.  The teachers would good about this till grade 3.  At that point he was diagnosed, he had an iep explaining his disorder.  But he had that teqchwr that is the epitome if the worst teacher.  After school accidents at age 8, the vice principal stepped in.  But the teacher made that a point of ridicule.  I pulled him and his siblings at that point and homeschooled.

Patience, insistence, creativity, trying things I normally wouldn't, sympathy and discipline were the keys to potty training Monkey 2...,they were the jeys to everything with him actually.   I think the thing that was hardest was the years and fears if him being ridiculed if I couldn't fully train him.  And the tears through those early school years.  He didn't care cuz if he said he didn't pee his pants, in his mind everyone believed that.  Interestingly a year into homeschooling he was peeping like most kids his age...mostly, don't see a movie in the theatre with him cuz he takes 3 trips in 15 min till all the pee is oyr unleas you say "go back and pee till your bladder is empty".

Potty Training #1: parents on the same page.

The first 2 months of trying to potty train my oldest (Monkey #1) was a nightmare!  Her dad and I had separated.  The problem was we weren't on the same parenting page.  My house was nursing or open cup .  His house was sippy cups.  And this is part of why I loath them lol.  A kid on a sippy cup runs around with it all day like a bottle whose nipple has a nip on.  Thats a lot of fluids!  And it made potty training impossible.  He had a potty, I had a seat for his toilet.  It went on and on.

I called his mom, cuz men love mommy who always knows best, eapecially compared to the ex.

His mom had good potty advice.  So since her advice wasn't insane I called him.  I told him he should ask his mom tips on potty training and then let me know.  He did and we agreed. Then I said I'd start and return her to him in two weeks but he had to meet me at McDonald's with her to start my visit with every single last sippy cup. We wete buying her first happy meal now that she was to big for sippy cups.

She arrived at his place day trained 2 weeks later, and two more weeks she was night trained.

Moms and dads do things different.  This is true for parents together or apart.  For some thibgs it makes no difference.  But somethings have got to be the same.  And if your toddler has a sippy cup or bottle, I highly recommend they only be allowed at the kitchen/dinning room table.

6 Babes and they all potty trained different.

I have 6 children.  That's a lot of cloth diapers and a lot of potty training.  And they were all different.  So I'm going to try and do a post on each and link them here.

Monkey 1: parenting on the same page.  Link
Monkey 2: special needs, regression. Link
Monkey 3: that was easy!
Link
Monkey 4: potty fear.

Monkey 5: monster in-laws.

Monkey Undies Sewing Tutorial

This is the sewing tutorial for Monkey Undies.  (Pattern here)  All seams are 1/4 inch seams.   Use a long stitch and a needle appropriate for a stretchy fabric.

Fabric for the training pants should be knits.  The core needs to be an absorbent knit.  I used Cotton Velour for sides, legs and waist.  I used cotton terry for the core. You could add a decorative cotton knit to the outside of the core for esthetics.

1. Place two core peices (wrong sides) together.  Sew edge of side panel (right sides together) to top side edge of core.  Repeat with other side.

2. Fold undies up (inside out) and sew sides to bottom side edge.  Repeat on other side.

3. Sew sides of waist band together and fold in half.  Repeat with leg cuffs.

4. With seam in center back of undies pin waist band into waist (raw edges together).  You will need to stretch and ease it in.  Also stretch while sewing.

5.  Repeat step 4 instructions with both leg cuffs.

Absorbent Soaker Pads.  These are optional.  I will be using these to increase absorbency in first days till Monkey shows understanding of potty training.  More like potty readiness first, then real potty training.  I will also use them for first outings.  You need absorbent fabrics for these.  I used 1 cotton fleece and 2 cotton flannel.  Together one of these inside a pair of undies will be less absorbent then a cloth diaper, but that's the point.  You might want to add snaps to snap in soaker.  This would be easier for toddlers to pull up and down Themselves.

6.  With right sides together sew around edge of soaker pad, leaving an opening on the side.

7. Clip seam allowence (except where open ).  Turn and top stitch.

8. Sew a contour oval in centre.  And thags all.

And done.

potty training toddler #6, & decisions on Monkey Undies

I potty trained my other kids with Kushies fitted diapers and classic cotton waffle weave trainers.  Kushies Fitted's were Velcro and easy for a toddler to pull off.  I use Fitted's with pins for monkey.  Not easy to pull off.  And the cotton trainers now have poly in them and the new style trainers are as much like a toddler do it yourself diaper as pull ups.
It seemed easier to just sew what I want for Monkey then to keep looking.

 & Whys:
Want - Absorbent enough to catch a leak but not a full pee.
Why: because they should function like underwear as the point is to train the toddler to use underwear but be realistic about short notice.

Want- ability to add absorbency for early days since Monkey's diapers don't come off quick.
Why - taking out pins takes to long and he can't do it himself.  Plus that will be handy for first outings when toilets aren't always 5 feet away.

Want - non water proof
Why - again to function like underwear.  Monkey will be wearing wool longies anyways so accidents won't always equal clothing change which is a bonus for me.

Want - no stay dry layer
Why - it helps a toddler learn about potty training if they feel wet when accidents or leaks occur.

So Monkey Undies are 2 layers cotton terry in an underwear look.  I might order a knit for a decorative outer but at the moment I'm using fabrics I have.

They also have a 3 layer lay in soaker (I will probably add a snap but I need to borrow a snap press again.  I think snapping in the soaker will make pulling monkey undies up and down easier.  The soaker is just one layer cotton fleece and two layers flannel.  I have some hemp fleece left and Will make a few with that for outings.

How:  Monkey has only a few words at 15 months.  Like his siblings his milestones are all physical.  He runs, jumps, climbs, throws a ball, uses a slide on his own etc.  So we will start with training in the mornings.  We are often home till around 10am and this is the time of day he seems to learn new things best and has the best temperament.  Work with your toddlers strength .  I will judge his responses to see if he is ready, if not we will try again soon (as in weeks).

We will cheer his success and mention the accidents with encouragement for next time.  When potty training I only give a treat (usually a timmies donut) for the following milestones:
•first full day in undies without accidents.
•first full week no accidents -yay your day trained.
•night trained.

Once fully day trained I expect my toddlers to continue with minimal at home accidents.  I don't punish accidents but we show it is disappointing.

Why do I do it all this way?
I don't want my toddlers to pee and poop for treats.  I want them to learn to be proud of their accomplishments.  Pride includes some disappointments in life.  That's what should drive us to improve; not treats.

There is a point where potty training can change course.  I feel a 3-4 year old who refuses to use the potty understands what the expectation is and so is disobeying when the don't.  Yes I have consequences for disobedience in preschoolers.

So there you have it, that's my approach.

Monkey Undies Training Pants Pattern

This is a pattern for cloth training pants that I drew up last night to fit my Monkey.  He is 15 months, 33 inches, 26 lbs.  I suspect these would fit about 22-30 lbs.  I will suggest where to make size adjustments for different builds.

These are an absorbent (non water proof) trainer.   My monkey will wear these under wool.  They pull on like undies.  I will say what adjuatments to make for snap ons.

They have absorbent pads.  My plan is to just use these while he gets the idea and for outings.

In the beginning we will use them in the morning when he is at his best time for learning.  I will go full time based on his reaponse to this.

**cut all peices with stretch running across width.  This pattern is 1/4 inch seam allowence.
(Sewing tutorial link)

1. The core:
 I am using 2 layers cotton burly knit Terry (bkt)  Any good absorber with stretch will work.
*If you want snaps add 2 inch to each front side. Fold side over 1inch so there is 2 layers at the snap so the snaps don't pull through.
For slimmer fit take out width in center length wise, and at middle width wise.
*for longer rise add an equal amount of length to top and bottom.

2. Side panels.
Mine are one layer cv (cotton velour). You could use any knit fabric here.
* for snaps use 2 layers per side. *so snaps don't pull through.
*for chunky thighs and waist add to width.
* for longer rise add to top to correspond to length added to top and bottom of core.

3 & 4. Waist band & leg cuffs.  
I am using I layer cv folded over for each.  Any knit with a good stretch recovery would work here.
Cut one waist band and 2 cuffs
*for snaps add 2 inches in length to each.    Also you will need to make the waist in two pieces: back and sides 10.4 and 6.4 (core +snaps) for the front.
*for fit adjustments add or take away length to correspond to your adjustments keeping in mind you want the waist and cuffs smaller then the waist and legs of the core + sides.

5. Absorbent pads.
I used 1 layer cotton fleece topped with 2 layers flannel.  You can use any absorbers you wish.  I recommend less absorbency then a diaper.
*fit adjustments if you widened or narrowed the width of the crotch on the core, repeat here.  If you lengthened the rise, repeat here also.  You're pads need to fit within the core.

1 pair of Monkey undies plus pads equals 3 layers heavy absorber (bkt & cotton fleece) and 2 layers fast absorber (flannel).  A second pad can be added for 4 heavy, 4 fast.

*sewing tutorial will follow.

Monster Bunz Mod to Soaker Tutorial

It's no secret I think monster bunz aka MB (by opulent monsters on etsy) is the greatest fit for a cloth bum.  So today I am going to show how I use this pattern to make a soaker.  I should add I have the luxe fit.

(Toddlers are not always the best models lol, this is the only still shot I managed to get).

K first up pin your leg pattern price to your wool.
Cut from 1/2 inch below small circle cut out to 1/2 inch below large circle cut out (I sew in a 1/4 inch seam allowance - quilting habit).

Next fold the pattern peice up at this 1/2 inch mark
Cut across straight edge.

Cut your waist as normal or make it shorter.  I like shorter on a soaker.

Finally cut your leg peice in the opposite stretch direction and not on fold. (Mine was pre cut so I eyeballed it).  We want the leg cuff more narrow height wise, but longer length wise as it now is going around a thigh not an ankle.

Finally sew together in much the same way.
Sew edge of cuffs then fold over and set aside.

Repeat for waist.

Sew top back seam.

Top front seam

Join leg seams forming a leg hole.
Next (and I'm so sorry I forgot a pic) cut from 1.5 inch in from the leg seam out towards the side on a scoop up by 2 inches.  This will make it a soaker and not a shorty.  Now that it is on him, and he is thinned out, I could have cut up 3-4 inches.

Place butt circle in hole.  Pin top and bottom first then ease in pinning more.  Sew (circle up).

Inside out place cuffs and waist band in leg holes and waist.  Then sew.

Lastly I fold the cuff over once more and sew up.