Ahh...The Sweet Smell of Diesel Fumes in the Morning

...accompanied by the glorious music of squealing brakes, and the sunshine-yellow glow of joyful expectation: I LOVE the school bus.

Believe it or not, Max started back to school today! This summer went quite well...but it was definitely time to move on.

I am pleased to report that I didn't see as much of Max's typical summer regression this year, with the exception of a minor step backwards in his ongoing struggle with sleep.

Eating took a major plunge for the first weeks, but he's been chowing down with gusto in the evenings lately, so I'd say overall that held fairly steady, too. But in the other two main areas of struggle, communication and toilet training, Max has continued to progress despite our slapdash efforts and random days around here!

That boy is primed and ready. I'm expecting big things. Very big things!

Diaper Incompatibility

I had a small revelation this morning, triggered partially by our family's love of fresh asparagus, and partially by Max sitting on my lap as I typed on the computer this morning while we sipped our morning coffee.

Here it is (although I should warn you to stop reading now if you are eating or are easily offended!): there are certain smells that just don't belong in diapers.

An odd statement to make, I know, because I've been changing diapers for 12-odd years now, and I'll be the first to admit there are all varieties of unpleasant odors involved with that task. But, let's see...how can I put this? To phrase it somewhat delicately, you know how sometimes after eating asparagus or drinking coffee, the corresponding odors seem to exit the body via the bladder?

Well, asparagus-scented pee and coffee-scented pee just do NOT belong in diapers! Trust me, there is a reason you don't see Gerber's Creamy Asparagus Puree or Similac Coffee Latte Formula in the baby food aisles.

Egads!!