Organic 'Bamboo Dreams' Crib Sheet Puts Baby in Luxurious La-La Land

We co-sleep with our baby, but we do indeed have a crib that is mainly used as a place to put Mr. A while we turn the bed down at night! Believe me, if he liked the crib, which is sidecar to our bed, that's where he would be. As we do our best to transition him to his own quarters -- mere millimeters away from mommy, (but you'd think it was miles), I am hoping this luxuriously soft crib sheet, made from 100% organic Viscose from Bamboo entices our little man to sleep solo. Heck, if he won't go in his crib, I may cozy up in there myself now that this decadent sheet is in place!

Yala, a family-owned, Green America business based in Ashland, Oregon makes these gorgeous sheets for babies to snuggle into. Available in rain, green tea, and natural, they add eco sophistication to any nursery. Additionally, they contain no finishing agents and their hues are achieved via low impact dyes.

Yala also has an adorable collection of organically harvested bamboo clothing for babies and toddlers as well as stylish, green apparel for men and women. The company was formerly known as DreamSack for their invention of the indulgent 100% silk sleeping bag of the same name. Camping will never be roughing it with one of these lining your sleeping bag.

Sweet dreams!

UPDATE: Little Beetle Learners - Organic Cotton Training Pants

Update as of 2/25/11: After the overnight accident incident, as promised, I said I'd post about absorbency. Well, I'd say these learner pants are great for daytime, smaller spills and "oops!" accidents where a little one may run to the potty quickly, but for heavy-duty overnight soaking incidences, they don't do the trick...

Everyone always talks about cloth diapers, but I never see any articles on cloth training pants. Popular 'Pull-ups' are just as bad for the environment, but what's a mom to do when her toddler can stay dry during the day, but still needs protection from "accidents" overnight... and doesn't want to go back to wearing the now dreaded diaper?


Little Beetle Learner organic cotton velour training pants are a great, comfortable option for your 'wee-ing' ones. They are made from 100% organic, Fair Trade cotton, and they are free of all the chemicals that are inherent in disposable training pants. Presenting a brand new pair of these cloth pants to your tot will also help her maintain the psychology that she is indeed out of diapers, but may still need some assistance from these "big girl" underpants, day or night.

Little Beetle Learners are luxuriously soft, and they feature side snaps so they're easily removable in case of an accident, but I do wonder, when put to the test, whether they will be able to contain a large amount of pee overnight. The company who makes Little Beetle Learners, Better for Babies, recommends toddlers wear their Organic Wool Diaper Cover over the Little Beetle Learner for extra absorption. As my daughter continues to wears these overnight, I will re-post as to whether they are highly absorbent on their own, or whether parents should definitely buy the wool diaper cover as well. But alas, I am hoping there are no accidents that will put them to the test!

Terbutaline Should NOT be Used to Stop Preterm Labor

In July I wrote about a possible link between autism and terbutaline. I just came across this article which clearly states terbutaline should NOT be taken to prevent preterm labor, and I am thanking heavens that I trusted my instincts and stopped taking it when my heart was racing so fast I could barely catch my breath. Thought I'd pass along this important information because it is prescribed so readily and shouldn't be. In retrospect, I wasn't even in preterm labor, I was simply having Braxton Hicks that my doctor deemed labor. I actually went eight days past my due date... this after refusing to take terbutaline after 48 hours. Be your own advocate.

Affordable, Eco-friendly Bamboo Rug from Anji Mountain

With a new little baby squirming around on the floor, we needed to get an area rug we were confident about -- one that was non-toxic, eco-friendly, and something we'd be comfortable setting Mr. A atop for tummy time and crawling.

People always say living green is more expensive, but this bamboo rug (bamboo is a naturally renewable resource) from Anji Mountain was more reasonable than any conventional rugs we came across. It is also luxuriously soft, and quite stimulating and fun for little ones -- because they can play with and twirl the noodle-like shag, and enjoy the texture. I also love that this rug is retro and modern at the same time! It's a stylish option for families who share all common areas in a small space too!

Also available in other colors. For best deal, purchase here:

Anji Mountain Bamboo Chairmat & Rug Co. 5-Foot-by-8-Foot Silky Shag Rug, Beige

My Child's Perspective

Having grown up in sunny Arizona, living in gray, rainy Portland does a real number on my psyche. My 3 year-old recently handed me the picture above, which she she had drawn for me. I was struck by the fact that while there are indeed the ever-present gray clouds, she also included a rainbow and a smiling sun -- not to mention an array of colorful flowers.

I hung this picture up somewhere I could see it often each day to remind me of her positive perspective. We could all use the reminder to realize that there are indeed rainbows and sunshine on even the cloudiest days. She is my guru.

Happy Valentine's Day!

DIY Dress-Up Wardrobe

Behold the amazing transformative powers of the cardboard box. Here's yet another ingenious use of the classic cardboard box -- often favored over its contents by imaginative children.

See how one savvy mom made this DIY dress-up wardrobe out of an unassuming box, to store her daughter's play clothing and accessories!