Elimination Communication

Elimination communication or EC is the fancy way of describing using the potty with infants. And YUP! that's what we are up to lately. So, how does this work? Well, I had the same thing rolling around in my head too. How do you potty train a baby? I thought it sounded difficult, most likely impossible, and also time consuming. I had read about the diaper free method and thought how nice it would be to not have to use any diapers! But I didn't think it was actually possible, so I never pursued it.

Well until my friend told me about her trials with EC and her 12 week old baby. She started since she was born and proudly said that she catches almost all #2's. It's called Elimination Communication because you have to read your babies signals and cues for when they have to go. My friend said that she also paid attention to when her baby went to the bathroom in relation to when she had eaten, slept or had activity. Then she uses cues for her baby to pee with a sound 'pssst' and to poo 'hmmmmmmm'.

That was over a month ago! Since March 1st, Rowan has done all her #2 business in the potty!! I couldn't write about this until I really knew that it wasn't just a fluke. But it has really been a month now of ALL her #2's on the potty! It started with the first try of 'hmmmm' and nothing. Then I detected the grunting look on her face, you know the look... the one where there is so much concentration. I quickly got her on the potty and 'hmmmm.' Well, out came you know what! Since then, I don't necessarily have to make any sound. I just put her on her potty and she goes. I was happy with catching all the #2's. Very happy! This means no more scrubbing poopy cloth diapers! But now, Rowan is even getting the hang of peeing in her potty. So cool! I put her on the potty everytime I change her diaper and she almost always pees. I have no goals of potty training Rowan at the age of 7 months and I don't think this is all about going diaper free. But it is pretty darn cool that she does anything in the potty. It surprises me everytime!

Funny Faces

I love the various faces that Rowan makes. She is so funny! I tell her how funny she is and laugh with her all the time. She just makes more silly faces and does more silly things! I love it! Check out some of the funny stuff I've managed to catch on camera.

Giving me the gummy grins first thing in the morning! (Still no teeth!)

Sticking her tongue out at Poppa.

The crinkling nose! Many funny faces have evolved from this one.

Just seems like a silly kid to me!

The crinkly nose evolving! Rowan likes to smile with her eyes, her nose and her mouth!

Rowan puts on the 'COOL' look with her new sunglasses.

Welcome Johannes Karsten

We are so excited to hear the great news from Panama. Johannes Karsten was born on Tuesday afternoon weighing 7 and a half pounds. Congratulations Yasmina and Daniel! We can't wait to meet your handsome boy!

A search for spring in the Okanagan

Spring Equinox is here and since Arya was born just before the winter solstice, it means she is 3 months older. Time for a visit to catch up with Rowan's dear friend. It was awesome to have a visit with another mom too. Kartikka is an amazing girl too. Such a natural mom and full of fun times!

Rowan was so happy to see her friend! So sweet.

Arya is 3 and a half months old!

We had a fun time going to the goat cheese farm in Kelowna. Did you know that a sampling of the goat cheese takes almost an hour? There are so many different kinds and they were so good! To finish, we got to try goat milk gelato. I had the creme brulee - Yummmy! And even Rowan sampled her first gelato. She had Mango and loved it!


We were so lucky, we were able to see baby goats! So fun and playful! Spring is here!

Arya and her mommma Kartikka checking out the baby goats!

Rowan and I also had an awesome visit with our old neighbors Leaf and Liz! We miss them so much, it was really great to spend time together again!

Uncle Leafer!

Ba ba da ba

It's official! Rowan is a babbling baby! Today she was talking away "ba, ba, da, tha, va, ba, ba!!" She has been a talker in the past but not with any consonant - vowel combo's. It's interesting because just on Tuesday, the health nurse was asking me various 6 month questions about Rowan regarding her development. One of the questions was if she makes consonant - vowel combo sounds, and I said no. She also asked me if she reaches for herself in a mirror, and all I could think of was 'I think she does.' So I went home and checked. Yup, she reaches for herself! And now, she also babbles!



Rowan weighs roughly 15 lbs now. Her hair is slowly growing in around the back although some days it seems like you can watch it grow.

Visiting Poppa at work!

Fun times continue

It is much easier to play with Rowan these days since she is sitting up so strong now. She loves playing with her blocks, musical toys and her hammer. She's beginning to show interest in books which is so cute to watch. It's amazing to watch her learn!

I love this shot. Check out where the block is!

Rowan, what do you call that yoga pose? ouch!

Playing at Nana and Dada's house!

Hanging with dad and ... Who is that guy that looks like uncle Marco?

Rowan is so easy going too. After a day of visiting and skiing on Saturday, she came along with us to a wicked Mt. film festival and just chilled out in the sling. She watched some of the movies, looked around at all the people and kids, and then finally snuggled into a deep sleep.

AND... Don't we all just love the sun! Here's my dog Piper enjoying some sun on our driveway!

I see the sun now and Rowan is just waking up from a long nap. Perfect!