Not sure if it is cutting it, but we bought a SwaddleDesigns Baby Lovie to replace the deceased blanket. Hey, if it is good enough for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s kid, it sure as hell is good enough for Haven. And, if not, we can try with baby #2…and I even have a backup blanket JUST IN CASES. Plan C? I can turn the used blanket into a rag and the unused backup can be given away as a baby gift. So, if it shows up at your baby shower, you will know how it got there. And, just because it wasn’t good enough for my kid, doesn’t mean it isn’t good enough for YOUR kid. Just ask Brad and Angelina.
I promised you I’d tell you the blanket story. I just didn’t expect it would be *this* exciting.
When I was a little girl, I became attached to a woven cotton blanket with a satin trim. I believe it was given to me as a baby and I had it through sixth grade when it’s believed that a babysitter threw it away. We have no proof of that, but it’s my gut feeling.
Anyway, about ten years ago my mom stumbled upon an exact replica (okay maybe not exact, but damn near close) of my blanket. I tucked it away in a box and decided to pull it out a couple of weeks ago to see if Haven liked it. Well, she not only liked it, she loved it. And, shortly thereafter it was requested during naptime/bedtime routines.
The blanket was in good condition, but it was showing a little wear. The satin trim has separated from the woven blanket, but I really didn’t think anything of it. After all, my original blanket was practically threadbare towards the end of its known life. But, early this morning Matt discovered that Haven somehow had her neck wrapped in between where the satin trim and woven blanket had separated and had it twisted around her neck. Before I go any further, she’s FINE. Matt unwrapped the blanket and took it out of her crib while Haven continued to snooze. When she woke up this morning I could hear her saying, “blanket, all gone” several times. She knew something was missing.
I’ve ordered a lovey, actually TWO of them to be delivered on Saturday. I’m not sure if they are going to cut it, but we will see. This afternoon, she is sleeping with two handmade blankets. One was Matt’s as a kid and another one my friend Kristine crocheted as a baby shower gift. I’m forewarning you Kristine…if she becomes attached I will have to commission you to make her another one, just in case.
We’ve quit the pacifier this weekend. At, least I am pretty sure we have. And, I was really, really scared.
For several months now, the pacifier was reserved for naptime and bedtime use only. Yes, I carried it with me for the occasional crazy outburst, the last one during dinner at a restaurant. Who knew that she would get so mad when she had to sit in a highchair? But, for the most part it has been off limits. Occasionally, Haven asked for her “nuh” and I would tell her I don’t have one, whether or not I did, and she would often just go on with life.
Also, over the past month or so, she has become attached to her “baby doll”, a yard sale find, about ten years out of date, so it is likely impossible to find an identical twin. We have found a fraternal twin on Ebay and I am hopeful she will be a suitable replacement if we ever lose the original. This past week we also introduced her to another lovey, a security blanket. More about that later.
So, we decided to march boldly into no pacifier land. And, here’s how it is going:
Friday night: After about an hour of talking and a half-hour or whining/crying, Haven finally went to sleep around 10:00 pm. With some pats on the back and reassurance she fell asleep and slept through the night. She woke up at 8:30 am.
Saturday afternoon: Naptime was non-existent. She talked, she sang, but did not sleep at all during her nap. We finally got her up at 5:30 pm.
Saturday night: Maybe thirty minutes of jabber before falling asleep. She did wake up around 10:30 pm asking for Mommy and Daddy. Matt went in and she went back to sleep. Haven woke up crying (probably a bad dream) at around 7:45 am, and Matt went in to soothe her. She then slept until 9:00 am.
Sunday afternoon: An hour of jabber talking, singing and squealing before napping. MUCH better than a non-existent nap. Slept from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. We need to gather all of the pacifiers because we keep telling her the “nuhs” are all gone. She’s told us a couple times that her “nuhs” are all gone. So, she gets it. Cool.
Sunday night: Thirty minutes before she quieted down. She slept until 9:00 am.
Monday afternoon: Less than thirty minutes of jabber before she was quiet. Haven woke up around 5:30 pm. All the pacifiers are collected and put away. All eight of them.
Monday night: Some talking before bed. But, very, very little.
I had always believed we would get rid of the pacifiers in some sort of theatrical manner. Like some sort of ceremony where we would bury them in the light of the moon or sacrifice them to the pacifier gods to regift to all the little babies of the world. Instead, it all happened without fanfare. There’s lots of great information out there about how and when, but ultimately, I believe you have to be ready, your child has to be ready and the timing has to be right.
For us, the time felt right. She was not really asking for her pacifier before bedtime. She had become attached to a baby doll and blanket. We had a long weekend at home to work on this. And, WE were ready.
From what I can read, basically, whatever sunscreen you put on you or your child, there are risks. All contain known or potentially hazardous chemicals. The Environmental Working Group published a 2010 sunscreen guide that allows you to look at sunscreens and moisturizers, breaking down the ingredients and reasons for concerns about particular ingredients. Apparently, oxybenzone is a common ingredient in sunscreen to avoid, especially with children, since it can cause allergic reactions. It is found in the the original Coppertone Water Babies as well as knock off varieties. Oxybenzone might be the reason Haven broke out in a rash from a sunscreen. Unfortunately, oxybenzone is an ingredient in almost all of the Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens, which was my preference when it came to sunscreens. From what I have read, I think it is wise to stay clear from any sunscreens with oxybenzone for the time being, at least for Haven.
Another option to choose from are barrier creams. These sunscreens contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide and are deemed safer by many, however, if the microsized particles of titanium oxide penetrate the skin into the bloodstream (which it is believed it DOESN’t), it could be carcenogenic. Studies are ongoing to determine the risk. A downside to barrier creams is that they aren’t absorbed, therefore they leave a white coating on the skin. Also, it is sticky (therefore a magnet for sand) and hard to wash off. California Baby has a barrier cream (with titanium dioxide) and Badger has a sunscreen (http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/finding-the-best-sunscreens/320116/Badger-Sunscreen-for-Face-and-Body-Unscented-SPF/) that is another barrier cream for sensitive skin (without titanium dioxide).
After doing some more research, I think that Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple is probably the best option for Haven. It is hypoallergenic as well as dye and fragrance free. (http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/finding-the-best-sunscreens/262429/Coppertone-Water-Babies-Pure-and-Simple-Sunscreen-Lotion-SPF/) We have used it in the past, and had good luck with it, so I went ahead and bought two bottles so we have some in stock. That is another plus. You can find this sunscreen at your local drugstore.
Buying disposable swim diapers can get expensive. Especially if you are planning on spending a lot of time in the water with your infant or toddler. Why not invest in some reusable swim diapers for the summer? There’s many brands out there to choose from. We bought some of the ImseVimse swim diapers, gave them a test at the beach and think they are winners. They aren’t thick like the disposables, so they fit easily under a bathing suit, which is nice. After all, the sole purpose of a swim diaper is to catch the poo. I have to say if your kid has runny diarrhea, they should not be in a pool with any swim diaper, but for solid-ish poops, these will do just fine.
As a side note, my friend Gwen said you can reuse swim diapers, as long as there is no poop. I have even read where people wash them in the washing machine and are able to use them again about four more times. I’ve not tried this, but since we are planning on spending a fair amount of time at the water, I’m considering giving it a try. Anybody else had experience with reusing swim diapers?
A good hat is a necessity when spending time in the sun. For us, a hat needs to have a chin strap with either Velcro or a tie. This hat caught my eye during a playdate. The brim is the widest I have seen on any toddler hat and with a name like Floppy Hat, I think it is a worthwhile investment.
Manufacturer: Flap Happy
Model: Floppy Hat
Price: $15.95 on Amazon
When I became a mother, it was life altering. People tell you that being a mother will forever change your world, but it is so hard to wrap your head around a concept, since it is such a foreign idea. However, nobody ever prepared me for the fact that watching my husband be a father would make my heart melt. I’m sure that some men don’t adapt to their new role easily and some may never adapt. But, watching Matt with Haven has made me fall more and more in love with him. Seeing him take a willing active role in parenting (changing diapers, handling feedings and bathtime) was one thing, but I love watching them at the playground together, singing songs, playing games, going on walks, dancing before bedtime, reading together, roughhousing in the living room, blowing bubbles, drawing with crayons and sidewalk chalk and sharing a love of the water. And as time goes on I look forward to more fun times.
So, to my partner in life as well as my partner in parenthood, Happy Father’s Day.
