Bottleless Bedtime

Ever since she turned one, I have been trying to figure out the best way to wean Chase from the bottle. At this point, the bottle is been much more about comfort than a convenient device to ensure one's child consumes enough nutrients.

With my trip the US only a week away, I have been asking myself if I should bring the bottles (they take up so much room and are such a *bleeping* hassle). I'm hesitant to admit this, but I have actually spent time debating this issue with myself.

So it is with great joy that I report my question answered itself.

During our weekend in Beijing, it was so hot that Chase was drinking shed-loads of water. She produced so many diapers, I couldn't begin to count them. As we were "going going going" all the time, she literally fell asleep when she couldn't keep her eyes open anymore (as did we all), which means that the whole "have a bottle before bed" thing didn't happen for three days.

And so Hubs and I decided to continue the bottleless bedtime routine after we returned to Dalian.

We're two days into bottleless bedtime ... so far, so good. Admittedly, it takes a good deal longer to put her down for naps during the day, and nights take a little more time. But if I have to wait a little longer, it's worth it to (a) beat the bottle and (b) lighten my load.

And yes, I know bottleless isn't a word.

What I Miss Most

- Friends (we have friends here, but it's just not the same)
- Lime
- Avocados
- Blue cheese, all artisan cheeses, wine
- Fresh herbs
- Organic produce
- Free range beef and chicken
- Organic, hormone-free milk
- Speaking English to someone else who speaks English
- Finding everything I need at one store
- Being able to buy all ingredients I need for a recipe
- Carrots that are orange in the middle
- Clean public restrooms (I'm so tired of holes)
- Backyard BBQs
- A game of Croquet after dinner (way back when - when we had a backyard)
- Bacolna Dolce dessert from Papa Hayden's
- Having a garden

News Of The Day

The good...
PARIS (AFP) - An international team of scientists has isolated antibodies that could provide treatment for bird flu in humans, according to a study published Tuesday.

The bad...
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Federal health authorities said Tuesday that they are looking for people who may have been exposed to a rare and potentially fatal form of tuberculosis from an infected passenger during two trans-Atlantic flights this month.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Ten U.S. troops died in Iraq on Monday, including eight killed in a deadly chain of events that began when a U.S. helicopter was shot down, according to a U.S. military official.

And what we were waiting to hear...
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Britney Spears says she "hit rock bottom," in a message posted on her Web site about the end of her marriage and her time in rehab.