Here's a video of my daughter gettin' a little love from Toby:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLeMnYQdZa8
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Crap that I bought and never used
When you register you feel the need to register for things that you have no idea what you're supposed to do with it, but it's on some random list or you see other mom's with one so you think it's a necessity. Here are some things that I received and never used.
- The Head Support for the car seat: I never used this for a few reasons. First is, when you leave the hospital they will not let you have anything (except a rolled towel if the baby's head is floppy) in the carseat because it is not crash approved. Maybe it's because E was a big baby, but I never need to have this. Could have saved $30!
- Bassinet: I ended up co-sleeping. I guess you never know what you're going to do but the bassinet just didn't work for me (or her). If you can, definitely try to borrow one if you can. There goes $300....
- Ottoman: I felt so pressured to buy an ottoman with my rocker. I ended up having it with the chair for awhile, and then realized I'd be sitting there with the baby, she'd fall asleep and then I couldn't get out smoothly because I'd have to straddle the ottoman to get out. She would always wake up. So now the ottoman is a lovely shelf for baby book. Great. Actually, if I could do that purchase over, I'd get a recliner with a footrest that goes back into the chair (like a Lazy Boy). They have really cute ones. Bethanny (from the NY Housewives) actually just test drove one on her new show "Bethanny Get's Married?" Buh-Bye a lot of money (I think it was like $700) gulp...
Is there anything you're not sure whether or not you should get? Comment below... Something I missed? Let me know what you think!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
All Joy and No Fun
Thought I'd share this article. I thought it was interesting.... what do you think?
All Joy and No Fun
and the response:
http://babble.com/mom/health-and-relationships/parents-are-happy/
I took a few things from these articles. I really feel strongly that our society is very un-family friendly. Becoming a parent in the US in this day in age is extremely hard (when compared to other cultures or other generations). Everything from both parents being expected to work outside the home, to children not living close to their parents to help with childcare - to something as simple as restaurants and stores not being family friendly. As a parent, I always found it surprising that (very few) stores don't give priority parking to parents and you can forget about finding a changing table in about 75% of restaurants.
It feels like our society is saying, "Kids not welcome" aka "Don't bring that brat in here"... but if our culture were more helpful and accommodating to families and parents wouldn't be be better for everyone? Parents would be happier, kids would be happier - because to me - it just feels like sometimes the way things currently are, parents have all the cards stacked against them from the get go.... and it just doesn't make sense to me.
What do you think?
All Joy and No Fun
and the response:
http://babble.com/mom/health-and-relationships/parents-are-happy/
I took a few things from these articles. I really feel strongly that our society is very un-family friendly. Becoming a parent in the US in this day in age is extremely hard (when compared to other cultures or other generations). Everything from both parents being expected to work outside the home, to children not living close to their parents to help with childcare - to something as simple as restaurants and stores not being family friendly. As a parent, I always found it surprising that (very few) stores don't give priority parking to parents and you can forget about finding a changing table in about 75% of restaurants.
It feels like our society is saying, "Kids not welcome" aka "Don't bring that brat in here"... but if our culture were more helpful and accommodating to families and parents wouldn't be be better for everyone? Parents would be happier, kids would be happier - because to me - it just feels like sometimes the way things currently are, parents have all the cards stacked against them from the get go.... and it just doesn't make sense to me.
What do you think?
Ways to meet other moms/ babies!
When you're home with a baby it can be tough to meet people that know what you're going through. Plus, it - quite frankly is such a pain to get out with a baby between feedings, naps, and fussing. But, getting out of the house is healthy and good for both of you. Here are some great places I found good support groups and met some really nice people:
Hospital New Mom's Group: Check to see if your hospital offers an outpatient group. This is a great place to meet tons of new mom's and babies around the same age as yours.
Le Leche League: This is a great support group for breastfeeding help. It's nice to hear advice from other mom's who are going through the same trials and tribulations when it comes to nursing. Plus if you join LLL ($40) you will get all the help and free advice from the group leader. Priceless.
Your local Library: Check out your local library's website. A lot of times they will have classes for baby including songs and story time. Even if they don't offer classes you can still borrow book (for free!) and it was news to me that they now carry DVDs. Perfect! I can just borrow a DVD without having to play it 900 times and end up throwing myself out the window.
Meetup.com: You can search for and join groups in your area with common interests. Check out the new mom groups! Disclaimer - I am a member, however, have not actually attended any events.
Gym: When you're ready to get back at it at the gym look for one with a daycare. A lot of them offer free childcare, or it for a really reasonable hourly rate. Hello! Some alone time! Sometimes gyms actually offer classes that incorporate babies - such as Stroller Strides.
The Y or JCC: Check out their calendar. They usually have great programs and groups for new moms. They also offer nice swim lessons usually starting around 6 months.
Now get out there and meet some new mommy friends :) Watch out for the crazy ones... some of them bite (the babies, I mean).
Hospital New Mom's Group: Check to see if your hospital offers an outpatient group. This is a great place to meet tons of new mom's and babies around the same age as yours.
Le Leche League: This is a great support group for breastfeeding help. It's nice to hear advice from other mom's who are going through the same trials and tribulations when it comes to nursing. Plus if you join LLL ($40) you will get all the help and free advice from the group leader. Priceless.
Your local Library: Check out your local library's website. A lot of times they will have classes for baby including songs and story time. Even if they don't offer classes you can still borrow book (for free!) and it was news to me that they now carry DVDs. Perfect! I can just borrow a DVD without having to play it 900 times and end up throwing myself out the window.
Meetup.com: You can search for and join groups in your area with common interests. Check out the new mom groups! Disclaimer - I am a member, however, have not actually attended any events.
Gym: When you're ready to get back at it at the gym look for one with a daycare. A lot of them offer free childcare, or it for a really reasonable hourly rate. Hello! Some alone time! Sometimes gyms actually offer classes that incorporate babies - such as Stroller Strides.
The Y or JCC: Check out their calendar. They usually have great programs and groups for new moms. They also offer nice swim lessons usually starting around 6 months.
Now get out there and meet some new mommy friends :) Watch out for the crazy ones... some of them bite (the babies, I mean).
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Winter babies rock!
With the exciting news of yet *another* good friend of mine expecting this winter - I decided to dedicate this post to all of the winter babies that are due! Winter babies get a bad rap. Everyone (including myself ) romanticizes having a Spring or Summer baby because you can take the child out for long walks, to the pool, etc. Let me tell you what I've come to realize about having a winter babe.
- When you first have the baby you aren't going to want to go outside anyway. You are just going to want to sleep, breathe and hopefully shower (oh, and take care of the baby). When the weather is cold and dreary you won't feel that pressure to get out, and you can just snuggle up in bed with your lovie.
- Clothing is a non issue. I literally had my little lady in the footsie onesies everyday all day, all night. Done and done.
- By the time the nice weather does roll around the little one is old enough to enjoy it! I take my little one to pool the all the time now and she swims around and loves it. It's really a lot of fun. When they are super little you also shouldn't have them out in the sun because they can't wear SPF until they are 6 months.
-Bathing Suit season: From the time you have the baby you'll have ample amount of time to drop a good amount of weight and might even consider being seen in public in a swim suit.
- Holidays - You will either be very pregnant or will just had the baby. This holiday season you will (for once) have the upper hand. This means, if you don't want to travel - hi, sitting for long periods of time is highly uncomfortable coupled with holiday traffic - no thanks. Hosting? Sorry, I can't this year because my feet are swollen to the size of my melons. My point is, you only have the pregnancy card for so long by all means use it and actually do what works for you. People should understand if you need to bow out and take it easy. My husband and I had a great time this holiday season and were able to experience some new holiday traditions at our (local) friends house.
Mazel Tov to all the expecting mamas! It's going to be a fun winter.
- When you first have the baby you aren't going to want to go outside anyway. You are just going to want to sleep, breathe and hopefully shower (oh, and take care of the baby). When the weather is cold and dreary you won't feel that pressure to get out, and you can just snuggle up in bed with your lovie.
- Clothing is a non issue. I literally had my little lady in the footsie onesies everyday all day, all night. Done and done.
- By the time the nice weather does roll around the little one is old enough to enjoy it! I take my little one to pool the all the time now and she swims around and loves it. It's really a lot of fun. When they are super little you also shouldn't have them out in the sun because they can't wear SPF until they are 6 months.
-Bathing Suit season: From the time you have the baby you'll have ample amount of time to drop a good amount of weight and might even consider being seen in public in a swim suit.
- Holidays - You will either be very pregnant or will just had the baby. This holiday season you will (for once) have the upper hand. This means, if you don't want to travel - hi, sitting for long periods of time is highly uncomfortable coupled with holiday traffic - no thanks. Hosting? Sorry, I can't this year because my feet are swollen to the size of my melons. My point is, you only have the pregnancy card for so long by all means use it and actually do what works for you. People should understand if you need to bow out and take it easy. My husband and I had a great time this holiday season and were able to experience some new holiday traditions at our (local) friends house.
Mazel Tov to all the expecting mamas! It's going to be a fun winter.
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