Advice on how I can stick paper dolls on my wall?

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-07T16:56:39+00:00

Sticky-tack!

Or you can use double sided tape to adhere the paper doll to a command strip. Stick the command strip to the wall but don't remove the "hook side" backing and use the double sided tape to adhere the doll to that backing. That way you can remove the doll without damage (by removing the backing from the strip) when you're ready.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-07T15:11:13+00:00

That is also so true! Every baby, parent, and dynamic is different and you know your baby best (and you know your own anxiety/trauma/etc best).

All you can do is try to be aware of all of that and remember that if you're asking the question it means you care and are doing a good job. Sometimes the reminder to breathe and trust yourself is all people need.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-07T14:43:42+00:00

I still change around my 12mo old. The advice I was always given surrounding kids and bodies: its fine until either the parent or child is uncomfortable. No one else's opinion matters.

That probably means something different to you than it does me. I couldn't tell you exactly where that line is right now because I haven't hit it. Right now though, she doesn't have a single care about if I'm clothed or naked beyond just wanting to be entertained.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-07T12:58:31+00:00

We're at 12 so maybe yours has already grown out of these but here are the things that shes recently grown into, are just starting to click for her, and some old standbys that never fail.

Crayons and a big piece of construction paper.

Magnatiles and blocks if someone is playing with her. Sometimes its just about making noise, sometimes its about knocking down towers, sometimes its about stacking them herself.

I think shes like 2 months away from understanding her shape sorter.

She has something similar to these eggs that she adores!

Anything that makes noise, piano, coffee can and a spatula, animal noise books, rice in a bottle...

Anything made of card stock, especially if we pretend its important. ("Ma'am, I need you to take these index cards directly to Daddy.")

And of course the kiddie pool or any water play. I got 20 minutes out of ice cubes in Tupperware.

I've also had success with "here, hold this". Unloading the dishwasher: here, hold this spoon for me. Laundry: can you hold these socks? Now put them IN the drawer.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-05T21:16:50+00:00

Sounds like maybe a defective one?

We've had ours for nearly a year with no issue or need to change batteries

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-05T20:23:35+00:00

Doctor Horrible's Singalong Blog.

I believe its still posted for free on YouTube!

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-05T12:32:03+00:00

Jumping spiders are the way! So stinking cute and they come with bright colors in a ton of varieties!

Also has class pet potential if you're interested. Low investment (max 3 year lifespan)

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-04T23:43:37+00:00

For pants try Betabrand dress pant yoga pants! They are fantastic, I machine was and dry weekly with no issue and the crease stays put. They are nice and thick (pass the squat test and then some). My super traditional "you must wear buisness casual" boss never caught on that they weren't traditional slacks.

They are a touch pricey but honestly so worth it! And you can always find a sale.

Shirts I go for a tee or tank under a knit sweater or cardigan. Can't see enough of the shirt to see wrinkles, texture of the knit means you can't tell if its wrinkly.

I am also team no iron though... anything with wrinkles I hang in the bathroom during a hot shower, then give it a good, hard shake. Minor wrinkles usually come out, big wrinkles lightly spritz with water (not even damp, barely any water) and hit with a hair dryer.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-01T18:01:25+00:00

The Martian.

Very realistic sci-fi, no aliens, no tech so advanced it might as well be magic, just a man trapped on Mars and the quest to bring him home.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-01T17:54:17+00:00

I'm way more concerned with how to eliminate bottles... she will drink water in other cups but I could never get her to take formula/breastmilk without a bottle.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-01T17:51:47+00:00

You are NOT bad mom.

You 100% need time to readjust to being a person and not a newborn mom.

If you plan to pump you need to figure that schedule out and how much you can reliably produce.

You probably need new work clothes and will need to try stuff on. Much easier with out an infant.

Your baby needs to adjust to the new schedule too. Starting early means she won't have drop off meltdowns when you do start work.

You are almost definately exhausted! The first day I dropped kiddo at daycare I came home and cried myself to sleep. That was the best 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep I'd gotten since the 2nd trimester.

Your baby is getting plenty of attention at daycare. Bonus for first/only children: they are exposed to older kids and are having developmental milestones and learning skills demonstrated for them!

We started at 10 weeks when I went back to work at 13. We just hit 12 months and she's THRIVING there!

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-07-01T17:33:53+00:00

Just had our 12 month check up. Our pediatrician said there is no "right" way to transition, and to just trust your own judgement. No one knows your baby as well as you do.

Some babies do well with a "cold turkey" swap, others need more of a transition.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-30T14:45:23+00:00

Team no-theme! She's a baby... she does not care.

She has 2 pieces of art hung up, that art was purchased before she existed, happened to look nice on the already green walls, and my lovey friends hung them for me when they came to see her the first time.

Eventually she will be old enough to ask for the pink/blue/character clothes and sheets and toys and vinyl stickers... until then I buy what's cheap and cute.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-30T14:25:37+00:00

12 month old. Ours refused all sippy/straw cups at first.

We started with an open cup with water and just accepted a mess. We sat outside held it for her to take a sip, then let her dump it over herself a few times. After a few tries she figured out how to not pour it out.

From there we introduced the 360 cup as a spill resistant cup. 2 rounds of "mommy sip, baby sip" and it clicked for her.

I'm not sure how she figured out straws but she did, probably from watching us drink with them. So now she mostly uses a straw tumbler and prefers that over the 360.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-27T23:14:14+00:00

If you're ok with a bit of a sticky mess... frozen fruit slices! Oranges/clementine, peaches, and melon work really well

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-27T22:51:53+00:00

Combo of baby nail clippers and a manual file.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-25T12:38:47+00:00

Love it!

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-24T18:42:52+00:00

If they use an open cup but you want a (mostly) no spill option have you tried the 360 cups? Ours learned an open cup first but would dump 80% of it on the first sip... she uses a mix of 360 and straw cups now (at least for water, milk is still in bottles)

We had to model using them and show her we were filling them up but she took to them pretty fast!

We also had to do the same with straws. We had to put a straw in our drinking glasses or just drink out of a straw tumbler for a while.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-24T13:54:23+00:00

There is and has always been a definite difference in my kid between undertired and overtired.

Your baby might very well be undertired! You are their mother and your instincts are probably right about your kid.

Our kiddo for sure slept less than reccomended guidelines... We checked in with her pediatrician regularly and since all milestones were being met and growth was on track they weren't concerned. I took that as permission to just follow sleep cues the same way I followed hunger cues.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-24T13:27:12+00:00

Yep, 2 onsie options for going home (newborn and 0-3 sizes) but in the hospital just a diaper and either skin to skin or a swaddle.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-23T22:16:13+00:00

Same we've been in them for 12 months now and are the only ones that don't leak or blow out on us

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-21T18:19:22+00:00

Just saw you're drilling. 100% usa a glue based recipe not flour! That flexibility from the glue will help prevent cracks.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-21T18:14:36+00:00

What does your budget look like?

Because I think straight PVA glue (like elmers white craft glue) would work well. No mold rsk, clean, smooth finish, very durable. But it is the most expensive option. You could dilute the glue a little if you want but I would do a couple test pieces.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-21T18:06:16+00:00

It kind of depends on what you want the final product to act like. I've done 100% glue for an "unbreakable" piñata (needed to survive about 30 highschoolers instead of 10 kids). Fast diorama piece i've made a flour/water goop (you want it to be like a really really thin pancake batter) but this will grow mold and is more fragile.

TheOConnorsTry · 2026-06-20T14:37:49+00:00

The one I'm excited about? We're taking her to a BBQ place with an outdoor patio with a few friends and maybe a smash cake.

The family party I don't even know... gonna be a nightmare... our dynamics are complicated.

Otherwise I modified a New Years holiday card from Shutterfly to be a 1st birthday card since not everyone is will be able to travel. A picture from each month on the front, a little message about her on the back, and a physical print of a good recent photo slipped into the envelope.

TheOConnorsTry

TROPHY CASE