I am using PC with Vista, downloading on Firefox.  Download was successful, but I could not install V3.

I received the following error message while trying to load the installation components: Microsoft .NET framework 2.0 S1 is not supported on Vista Operating System.

It proceeded with the install, but became stuck on the splashform (?) screen.  I had to shutdown and restart the computer. 

It told me to send a diagnostic report, but none appeared to be created/available.

I am looking forward to using V3!  Thank you for your help.

We were late starters with DS1, started cueing and using the potty after naps and at regular intervals from 12m old.  He was reliably finished potty training (even dry at night) until DS2 was born when he was 18mths.  Then we had a 3m regression which was frustrating.  With DS1 we would take him to the potty immediately upon waking, then every 20 mins thereafter for the first hour, then hourly and again after each nap.  It helped to have him go pants free for a few days and note down the times he went to find his particular pattern.  We also would sit and read books while he was on the potty and had a verbal reward for successes.  If he didn't want to stay on the pot, we didn't force the issue.

DS2 we started from birth.  He really disliked being wet and had clear physical signals when he needed to go.  I could go to the store without a nappy, and we would use the garden if we couldn't find a better place to hold him.  We used a verbal association cue for pottying and generally would do it over the sink when he was smaller.  He started to say ssss (potty cue) at about 4m and this made it easier for me especially when we weren't at home.  At 9m he started to learn to walk and forgot all his cues !! we started to use cloth nappies more, but used them without a cover so we could tell him when he was weeing and take it off straight away - same for #2's.  We live in a mild climate so he is also without pants for a majority of the time.  Now at 16m he has been using the potty for about 3m and will tell us if he needs to wee or poo using either signs, answers to questions, or his own words.  Poos are very difficult to catch because he usually is squatting to play with something when they come out - and they catch him unawares.  We take him to the potty when we need to go, immediately after waking, and if he hasn't wet for a while.

Some notes:

with DS2 we used EC overnight.  This was very tiring, and I can see no perceptible benefit with this child.  It made both of us cranky! even though he would squirm and complain in the night when he needed to go.  We ended up using coverless cloth nappies held on by an elastic waistband, sleeping on a waterproof mat, and changing him after each wee. 

We keep a potty, or little bowl, in the back of the car to use when we are on long drives or in a carpark without a toilet nearby. My sister knows that she will never eat out of our green salad bowl!!!

The key was the communication, not the potty training.  When I would start to get irritated about all the puddles or piles, we went back to nappies until I was in a better frame of mind.  Same when he wasn't into being held or sitting on the potty.

Catching is fun!  Even my nappy phobic spouse liked catching onto the cues and getting a success in the sink/potty and it is SO much easier to clean up!  Enjoy

In AUS we paid more than $100 for the Strider, but we have never regretted the purchase.  It is so light, and incredibly durable.  It gets dropped, scrapped, crashed, carried, goes over rocks and high door frames, all by my 2yr old.  Worst that has happened is that the seat vinyl has scrubbed off when he has had some big crashes at speed (he was alright!).  I have to run to keep up with him.  I also like that you can lower both the seat and the handles. 

My 3yr old is an old hand on his balance bike, and has been confidently riding it since he was a bit over 2. 
We bought a Strider, as there were no cheap alternatives here at the time.

I think it would be much heavier for a toddler to manouvre a regular bike with the pedals removed, as the balance bikes are really light weight, and designed that way for safety and ease of use.  There would also be the problem of the fixed cogs once the chain is removed. 

Our 15mth old is super keen to ride around on it now (has been walking since 10m) but his brother will not give it up!!  He is reluctant to use a pedal bike or trike, instead preferring to use his feet in the same manner as the balance bike. 

We haven't had the need for the footrests yet, as B sticks his legs out to the sides when he is tired or scooting downhill.

We love the balance bike - Go for it.

We also looked at making a crawling track but I couldn't find the right materials for the surface here in Australia. 

What we did instead was put pressure on his feet (alternating feet) when he was on his tummy so he would use his stepping reflex to push down on our hands.  Later we did it on a yoga mat with a onesie on (the kind where their hands and feet are bare) and he learned to dig his toes in instead.  He just loved being on his tummy and preferred to sleep that way (with us beside him).

Now at 13 months I can't stop him - he even climbs rock walls!!!  Looking into kindy gym or gymbaroo for this term.

We also did a lot of the tilting airplane manouvres in the Doman book. 

Thanks Mother of Faith for the PreK link. I found this website as a result of searching through the linked websites. 

WatchKnow - videos for kids to learn from

http://www.watchknow.org/

My mother found some dvd's in crazy clarks for $4.99 -
Fun learning for kids - A vocabulary builder dvd containing multi languages (english, spanish, german, french and mandarin)
I have the transportation one. 

Granted the guy is a bit wierd and the graphics are all from clipart, but my son loves to watch it.

Disk Format: DVD 5
Region Code: 0

i got my son a pair of kitchen tongs and he collects stuff and transfers them from one container to the other.  This keeps him entertained for ages.  Before this he was learning to unscrew lids to get things like pom poms out.  I also drilled holes into the plastic lid of a formula tin and he likes to poke straws or pipecleaners in.  He is 19m.

we used an Amby baby hammock for our son until he outgrew it.  I have also seen babies in regular hammocks, but they sleep along the other direction ie. 90 degrees turned from how an adult would use it.  This helps with the issue of rolling out.

Hi,
If you are interested in the Qld Government's Free Active Alphabet Booklet you can order via the following link:

https://www.bookshop.qld.gov.au/ProdView.aspx?popup=1&Category=SXXD0542&Product=SRQBK04

Free postage too!

Cheers,

Loren

my second baby is now 6 wks old and we have been practicing together since week 1.  I didn't know about it when I had my first son.

We keep him nappy free as often as possible, and hold him over the sink when he starts to squirm [poo], break wind [poo], cry for no reason [wee/wind], flare his nostrils [wee], or if he has a flared willie [wee].  We have about 60% success I would say, with more catches over night (he wears a nappy just in case) and plenty of accidents.  Thankfully we have a wooden floor!

He gets angry and arches his back when he isn't ready, so we usually have cuddles and try again in a few minutes when he is more relaxed.  I discovered this week that he relaxes faster if I sing a particular song to him and make the sssss noise between verses.  I also noticed today that he tried to lean over my arm - almost into his EC position - while he was fussing so I took him to the sink, cued, and he peed straight away.

I haven't read the book, but have reserved it from the library and am ooking fwd to more tips.

My 20mth old now says wee and makes the sss noise when we are holding Fraser over the sink, so maybe he will catch on too!

found the article!

http://www.parentingscience.com/infant-toilet-training.html

We practice EC with #2, and everything I have read suggests a reduced incidence of UTI's. 

The following article also refers to this.

http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/raising-baby-nappy-free

I found a great article that had references from medical journals, but unfortunately it is lost in cyberspace this morning and I can't find the link.

I wouldn't be afraid to tell the urologist that you practice EC - they would be more likely to support your decision.

I am from the Sunshine Coast 1.5 hrs nth of Brisbane.

Have 20 month old and 1 month old sons ... We are still adjusting, so haven't been doing as much tot-school as before #2 came along!

I have made some felt food (sandwiches, burgers, fruits etc) for my toddler, and drew inspiration from the following photo sites.  I agree that LillyBean's food is amazing.

He loves to pretend to eat it, but his favourite thing is to throw the strawberries around!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gulfcoastcottage/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/handmadefeltfood/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/playfood/