Archive for May, 2009
awkward family photos
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
mother’s day recap
Monday, May 11th, 2009My first mothers day list was accomplished, thanks to my wonderful husband, my cooperative daughter and with some assistance from Grandma and Grandpa. It was truly a special day.
My mother’s day began by nursing Haven, then sleeping until 9:30.
Matt brought me a Java Chip Frappuccino.
I took an especially long hot shower.
Matt took some mother daughter pictures.
I enjoyed a Shiner Black Lager.
We had Carolyn’s Salad, followed by steaks on the grill, roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus with Hollandaise sauce.
Followed up homemade brownies with Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream.
I had a neck massage just before bed.
And I ended my day with clean bedsheets.
Knowing I have a rain check for this.
And, I need to pick out new kitchen appliances.
Bonuses:
I didn’t have to think about ANY meals, not just dinner.
I even didn’t have to feed Haven her morning solids, or evening solids come to think of it.
I changed zero diapers.
The dogs were fed, let outside and watered by someone. Other than me.
The weather was gorgeous. Thank you mother nature.
I was relieved of nap duty. For both naps.
who you calling ugly?
Friday, May 8th, 2009
I am putting Ugly Dolls on Haven’s wishlist. Because I love ‘em.
mother’s day wishlist
Thursday, May 7th, 2009My friend, Gwen, started creating wishlists for birthdays and Mother’s day. Instead of focusing on big ticket items, the list focuses on smaller treats, many of them free. I think it is a great idea. After all, what is Mother’s day all about? MOM!
My 2009 Mother’s Day Wishlist
An especially long hot shower.
A picture with Haven. Just for the record, I am going to want this every year.
A foot massage. Or a back/neck massage. I’m very flexible on this one.
Sinful coffee drink. One with lots of sugar.
A nice glass of wine. Or, maybe a beer. A good one.
Dinner provided for me. It can be grilled, broiled, stir-fry, or fried. I just don’t want to think about it or clean it up.
Followed up with dessert. Ice cream, please.
Clean bedsheets.
A new theme for the blog. I think I would rather have this.
rainy weather getting you down?
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009We’ve got just the cure.
weekend wrapup
Monday, May 4th, 2009Fresh bedsheets
Filet Mignon on the grill, accompanied by roasted potatoes and Caesar salad
Homemade pizza
Appliance shopping
HUGE batch of baby applesauce prepared and frozen in ice cubes
Trader Joe’s balloon fun
A microwave (more on this later)
Giggles in the full length mirror
Porridge soap
Snakebites (the kind with Guinness)
belly pictures series
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
I’ve been following this blog where a photographer chronicles his wife’s pregnancy with a picture and a caption for the week. Kudos to him for putting them together and a BIG kudos to his wife for being such a beautiful and cooperative pregnant woman, willing to have her picture taken each week. I would like to do something like this, if there is a next time. The only belly shots we managed to take while I was pregnant with Haven were the NIGHT before my water broke, believe it or not. Towards the end of my pregnancy I barely wanted to get dressed in the scorching August heat. Add a little Haven to the mix and I can imagine it would be next to impossible to make myself presentable once a week and at a time where Matt is around to take my picture.
consumer reports gone bad?
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009While we are talking about attachment parenting and babywearing, Consumer Reports just published an article, “Five Products Not To Buy For Your Baby“. Included in the list are bassinets or co-sleepers, baby bath seats, sleep positioners, crib bumper pads and sling carriers.
Read the article closely. Look how many deaths were associated with slings. FOUR deaths in FIVE years. Baby bath seats? An average of TEN deaths a YEAR. And, the article states that “Nearly all of those deaths occurred when a parent or caregiver left the baby unattended momentarily”. So, why should we blame the product?
We personally used a bassinet until Haven was around four months old. Having her right beside our bed was not only reassuring, but incredibly convenient whenever she needed to nurse or have her diaper changed in the middle of the night. (For the record, having your baby in the same room is considered co-sleeping. Having your baby in bed with you is called bedsharing. So, technically, you could have your baby in her crib in your room and safely co-sleep). And, as you are probably already aware, we have several slings we use (and will continue to use). If you interview most any new parent, many will tell you that one, or both, of these items helped make naps and/or nighttime sleep possible. In my non-professional opinion, a well rested baby and parent make for a safer environment, regardless of what “dangerous” contraptions lurk in your house.
I am a huge fan of Consumer Reports. I have an online subscription and check their ratings for everything from car seats to laundry detergent. But, those are all products they can put through vigorous testing. They wouldn’t dare say such things about Lysol (or another flammable cleaning product) knowing full well it can be inhaled or used at a pyrotechnic show* in college dorm room, would they? Or, Ziploc bags, knowing full well that infants can suffocate on them? Or, hot dogs, because some kid choked on them? I could go on and on.
When I was pregnant, I wanted to get the safest products available for my child. However, even the top car seat manufacturers have had a recall of some sort, and they are still safe car seats. There’s a 46% increase risk of asthma in babies who take acetaminophen. Some researchers are linking childhood leukemia with paint use. In other words, we just need to be diligent. As a parent, I think it is best to stay informed and routinely check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) and Juvenile Product Manufacturer’s Association (JPMA) when making purchases.
* For those inquiring minds who want to know…in college, I attended an impromptu pyrotechnic show in a dorm room, which involved Lysol, a lighter and (drum roll, please) an oscilating fan for special effects. How we all lived to tell about it, is beyond me.
babywearing
Friday, May 1st, 2009While I was pregnant I read several articles about attachment parenting and fully embraced the concept of babywearing. In preparation, I attended an informal babywearing session where I was able to view several different types of slings, pouches and wraps that allow you to easily carry your child along with you.
Unlike the traditional Baby Bjorn or the Evenflo Snugli carrier, there are options that are more supportive and/or ergonomic for baby and parent AND allow you to carry into toddlerhood. Unfortunately, most of these carriers aren’t available in mainstream department stores (yet), so in order to see them in action, you must either seek out a store that carries them, order blindly online, or know someone who has a carrier you can try on for size and see in action.
I really liked the Kangaroo Korner’s Adjustable Pouch and felt it would be great in the beginning. Available in fleece or cotton (and even mesh) with a row of adjustable snaps, it is the simplest design I have seen and allows for skin-to-skin contact as well as easy access for breastfeeding. I didn’t imagine it would be terribly comfortable as the baby gets heavier, but for those first few months, it seemed to be the most dummy proof. You can buy them new for around $50 – $60.
The Moby Wrap is basically a large piece of fabric that can be tied in a variety of ways to hold an infant or a toddler. It is a favorite of many babywearers because of it’s versatility and that if you make one yourself (Matt’s mom made one for us), it is one of the most affordable options, however you can purchase one new for $40. I really liked this when Haven was smaller, but haven’t used it now that she is bigger. One drawback is putting it on…it drags the ground, so you don’t want to be putting it on in a parking lot or out in nasty weather. A tip from another mama: put it on before you leave the house, so it’s already on you when you get to the grocery store.
The Maya Wrap is another simple babywearing option AND it can also be made. For a new sling, the cost is around $60, however, on their website they even give you directions on how to make your own. How super cool is that? A couple of moms I have spoken to prefer the Maya wrap earlier on before transitioning to the Moby Wrap when the infant gets heavier. Oddly enough, this has been Matt’s favorite way to carry Haven and was great to have around when she was little. Several “daddy naps” were taken and was a lifesaver when Haven needed a nap and we were out and about. As she has gotten bigger I can imagine it will be nicer to have when she can sit on our hip, but I’m beginning to think that we might be close to done with this one.
The Ergo Carrier (or Becco Baby Carrier) is by far the most ergonomic (hence the name) and manly carriers out there. They both get high scores from babywearers. It’s comfortable, you can wear the baby in the front, hip or the back and one size fits all. You might think it looks like your standard baby carrier, but look closely at how the baby’s butt is being cradled, not just the crotch, which makes not only baby more comfortable, but less strain on your back as well. If you are going to plunk down $100 for a baby carrier, might as well go for one that is more versatile. This has been my favorite carrier, hands down.
