Ideas for Mothers Who Refuse to be Domesticated!

Hip Carriers...I Think I'm Stupid

2007-09-11T23:25:00.000-07:00

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Now that Baby X is too big for the Baby Bjorn and too heavy for me to just carry around while I work, I've invested in two new carriers - one for the hip and one that can either be used as a front or back carrier. So far I don't like either one very much.

The front/back carrier is OK for long trips (like a walking-around day trip somewhere) but is so complicated to get on and off that it takes longer to do small things (like grocery shopping) when I use it than when I don't. Clearly this is not helpful. Not to mention that I usually have to get my husband to help strap Baby X into it!

Still it's better than the hip carrier. This one just makes me feel stupid. I can't seem to figure it out. Oddly there's only one buckle and two adjustable straps. You'd think that would make it a smooth and simple gadget. Wrong! For example, when I put the "hips strap" around my hips, Baby X sags to my thighs, but when I put the strap around my waist I have to pull her in close to my body which just makes her try to squirm her way out. No matter how I adjust the shoulder strap, where I put the "hip strap", or how tightly/loosely I make it all, Baby X still looks incredibly uncomfortable and all of her weight feels like it's on my neck. Seriously, the thing makes me feel like a moron.

So, what's a busy Mom to do? Aside from becoming a super-strong body builder, I'm stumped. I was so excited when I bought these new travel companions, but after using them (or trying to use them) a couple times and frustrating the crap out of myself, my husband, and Baby X I'm at a loss. Maybe someone else can suggest a good solution?

I need: A carrier for babies between 18 and 30(?) pounds that won't make me feel achy after fifteen minutes and is quick/easy to take on and off. Really now, is that too much to ask for?!

Bad Computer!

2007-09-11T02:20:00.000-07:00

My daughter cries every time I sit down at the computer. Maybe she thinks it's going to eat me?

Lately...

2007-09-08T05:55:00.000-07:00

My husband has asked me three interesting questions:

1) Why do you open the curtains every morning when you're just going to close them at night?

2) Why do you put all of her (our daughter's) toys away at night when she's just going to dump them out again in the morning?

3) Why do you change out of your PJs in the morning when you're just going to change back into them at night?

Ok, so he didn't really ask me number three...but I feel it coming. I sense a trend!

Warning: Feeding Babies Salt-Water Is Bad!!

2007-06-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

I know what you are thinking...No Kidding It's Bad! Who would ever use salted water instead of fresh water to make their baby's bottles?!

Well, let me tell you, I did. By accident. Last night. And as a result I didn't get home from the hospital until earlier this afternoon.

How in Google's name did I manage to do that without realizing it? To start, my house has a water softening system to keep the water pipes clear of calcium buildup that uses huge salt tabs. The idea is for the salt to dissolve very slowly over time, with only minimal amounts in the actual water...

But, the system messed up, and instead dumped ALL the salt into the water system AT ONCE! So, last night I happily went about my routine just like usual. I made my daughter's bottle using the water from the sink, ran it through a Britta filtering jug, and proceeded to feed her and put her to bed.

About twenty minutes later my husband comes in, takes a sip of water from the same jug, and practically spits it back out all over the floor. "Where'd you get this water?!" He screeched like I'd done it on purpose. It didn't take long to realize that my daughter had just consumed a bottle of extremely salty water with her formula!

Needless to say, I freaked out a bit. I jumped online to search for the effects of salt on infants, and freaked out even more when I found this and this. Two different cases of accidental baby deaths as a result of salt?!! Seizures? Brain Damage? Death?!

We called our local poison control center to confirm the dangers (or to make ourselves feel better if things weren't as bad as they seemed), and they told us to bring her to the emergency room since we didn't know exactly how much salt she ingested, and that yes, it could be very very bad.

Off we zoomed to the hospital. To make one of the longest nights of my life short, one blood test, one intravenous drip, and 12 hours of crying/no-sleep later, we came home with a clean bill of health! Apparently she didn't consume enough salt to have been dangerous.

RELIEF!!!

Lessons Learned:

*Taste baby's bottle before feeding. (I knew to test it for temperature, but salty water was not a concern until now!)

*Two irritated/sick babies in one room will result in no sleep at all, ever. (I had to "share" a room for the night with another Mommy/baby and ended up sitting in a hallway chair instead long enough to watch the sun come way, way up.)

*Don't rely on baby to fuss if something tastes different/bad/unusual. (My daughter didn't bat an eyelash as she drank her disgusting-tasting bottle! Apparently it was yum-yum-yummy to her.)

*Better to be Safe...(Than Sorry. Sure we've all heard this before, but this phrase has stuck for so long because it's true. Everything turned out fine in the end, but I would've never forgiven myself if we hadn't gone to the hospital. Taking chances with my daughter's life is not up for debate.)

And most importantly:

*DON'T FEED YOUR BABY SALT WATER!!!

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formula

A Car Seat Swing? Nice!

2007-06-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

Graco SnugGlider Infant Car Seat Swing Frame - $ 49.95
From: Wise Innovations, Inc.

Mom Time: Hopefully Many Happy Hours of Baby Sleep
Age: Birth - 12 Months (approx.)
Necessity Scale: Must Have

Ahhh, now here's a smart idea! We all know babies love love love swinging themselves to blissful oblivion and that automatic swings are really a perfect busy-mom device. I can't tell you how much "putting to sleep" time I've saved by gently snuggling Baby X into her swing and letting nature take its course.

This gizmo, however, seems to be even more convenient because a car seat can click right into position. The official description says it was designed because:

"Moms told Graco that their baby is content and sleeping in their car seat on the drive home from visits or errands. When baby is brought into the house and removed from the car seat they sometimes start crying and want that car ride to continue. The Graco SnugGlider will provide the perfect place for baby to have that car drive simulation." - Yep, that sounds about right.

Although the swing itself doesn't seem to come with as many swing speeds as many others (this one has two and the one I have, for example, has eight...But I always wondered just how necessary an eight speed swing was anyway...), it still comes with music, vibration, and nature sounds. This model wins hands down for portability and convenience though!

Also, as far as I can tell, you don't specifically need a Graco brand car seat for it to work, any Infant SafeSeat car seat will do. Overall, very cool product that could be a lifesaver for parents who travel a lot and who can't always arrange activities around defined "nap times."

Do you have one of these? Post a Comment and let us know!

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Scratching, Biting, Pulling, and Loving

2007-06-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

If you thought understanding adults was hard, try understanding babies! For example, is the exploratory/aggressive behavior described below really affection in disguise?

I can't even count the amount of times every day that Baby X digs her teeny razor-like nails into me, or yanks some hair out from the roots, or smacks me as hard as she can. Granted she is only seven months old, and this is all very normal. But what exactly is she doing?

I think she's just testing her limits to see how strong she is. How hard can I pinch? What does it feel like? Hmmm, this stringy stuff is interesting, let me grab a handful and tug it to see what happens...Of course, not in those exact words.

But the oddest thing is when she tries to "eat" me. She'll push herself back and then throw her face, wide open mouth, against my cheek or chin or shoulder, whatever is closest. Then she'll hold herself there for a couple seconds like she doesn't know what her next move should be.

In the same way, she'll grab my cheeks and try to pull my face to her waiting open mouth. Seriously, like she's trying to eat me. Like she does with her other toys. Yes I know babies explore everything via their mouths at this point, so I think the whole thing is pretty funny.

But, I've been reading some "Mom" message boards, and many of them seem to believe this is their baby's clumsy way of trying to "kiss" them. Hmmm, never thought of that. Really, they're trying to kiss us? With a big open mouth? The same way they try to "kiss" all their other toys, the floor, the sofa?

Maybe I'm wrong, and Baby X is actually displaying some genuinely affectionate behavior...But I doubt it. I think she's just exploring me the way she explores everything else in her environment.

Any of you other Moms out there want to chime in and tell us how you interpreted this quirky behavior?

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Cheeky Shirts for the Littles

2007-06-07T02:25:00.000-07:00

I don't really like "baby" clothes. I like fun clothes that look like adult clothes with maybe just a hint of "cutesy" about it. I'd more likely put my daughter in a Punk Rock outfit than a frilly pink dress.

Needless to say I think these shirts are adorable. "What's that? What do they say?"

Grant it I think they'd be just a little bit funnier if they said something like "My Mom's A Nut" or "Come Here I've Got Something For You" on the butt...But these are good too.

They have the added value of you getting to enjoy the confused looks of people as they try to figure them out. BONUS laughs if they can't! (Seriously, they are NOT that hard!)

Apparently these shirts have just been launched by this company that makes an adult-oriented pictionary-like game that's supposed to be fun, and are using these as a promotion. I've never played it, but the reviews are good.

You know what that means? If you want to be truly dorky you can buy the same shirt in your size. Yep, you can dress alike and have double the strange looks. Or, if you prefer, skip the baby clothes altogether and just buy the one for you.

Like I said, I enjoy non-baby baby clothes...But it'll be a sad day when I look at my daughter's outfit and wish it were mine instead!

So far, my favorite's the first one in black for a baby boy, or a lesbian baby girl.

You can find them by going here, and click on "T-Shirts" in the left column.

Cheers!

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Creating the New Generation of Geeks, Nerds, & Dorks

2007-06-06T01:16:00.000-07:00

My First Desk

OK, I'll admit it, I'm a Geek. I actually like learning new things and am a rather studious person in general. Soooo of course the idea of getting my Tiny Tootles a desk of her own in the next couple years is much more exciting for me than it would be (I think) for the average parent (or should be for any sane person for that matter).

Luckily Papa X is the same way, so when we went to IKEA for Baby Room's "luxury" decor and spotted an exact replica of a real desk but scaled down for little people, we both agreed then and there we would buy one when the time was right. No questions asked.

However, after giving it some more thought, maybe an EXACT replica of a REAL office desk wouldn't be as much fun as a desk truly made for little people, such as the one pictured above. Although the bright colors and star cut-outs would look rather strange on the umpteenth floor of Business Tower Central...it would probably be just perfect for Tootles sitting next to my own home office desk. I think it'll make her feel more like she has a place of her own to "work," just like she's seen Mommy X do. We all know children love to imitate, so I might as well go with it while she actually believes hanging out with her mom is "cool."

After all, the plan is 1) Get Her to Count and 2) Teach Her to Balance my Checkbook.

So, while the desk itself might shout "It's time to color your heart out!" Baby X will really be calculating her way to a bigger weekly allowance...(You know, switch a little number here...Add a decimal there...and Viola!) Good to learn these lessons early...

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Have a Great Idea, But Don't Know What To Do About It?

2007-06-02T03:22:00.000-07:00

I've grown tired of having my own great product ideas and never doing anything with them because I don't have a clue about product development. I mentioned this to my mother a while back, and lo and behold last Christmas she gave me this book...Which of course I haven't had the time to read until now.

Wow, am I happy I did!!! This book is fantastic!

It's one of the most practical and easy to follow guides I've ever come across. It doesn't sugar-coat the process or make delusional promises of easy millions. But it does show you how to take your idea, research it, patent it if necessary, manufacture it, and finally market it nation wide. She gives guides about what to ask a lawyer, websites with the most useful and pertinent information, and general guidelines about what to watch out for so you don't get taken advantage of in the process.

The author, a mom herself, uses stories from her own life and those of other "Mom Inventors" to illustrate certain points, which makes for a very enjoyable read.

I think this book does a wonderful job of showing just how much effort really has to go into building a business and making your invention a reality. And believe me, it is work. But if you have an idea that is just too good to pass up, and you're willing to commit yourself and your time to developing that idea, then I highly recommend reading this book as a first step.

You'll feel much more confident, and it will give you all the starting points you need to begins your own invention process. AND it's not just for Moms. This step-by-step guide is useful for anyone who wants to manufacture anything. Seriously, check it out!

The Mom Inventors Handbook: How to Turn Your Great Idea into the Next Big Thing

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I Have Limits To!

2007-05-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Now I realize I'm not the cleanest Mom in the world. I live by the phrase:

"My House is Clean Enough to be Healthy, but Dirty Enough to be Happy."

Sure, I've been known to pick up a fallen toy, dust it off, and put it right back into Baby X's grubby little hands. Hey, I'm strengthening her immune system! Not everything has to be ultra-bleached, ultra-washed, and 100% germ free...But even I have limits. And my daughter found it yesterday.

As I was chatting with Father X over breakfast, Baby X was rolling around the kitchen in her walker. I had a momentary lapse of attention, and realized I needed to check on her when I didn't hear the usual screeching sounds that she's so brilliantly learned to make of late. So as I tilted back in my chair to discern just what was entertaining my daughter into this unusual bout of silence, I was horrified to realize that she'd maneuvered her little self over to the trash can, grabbed the part of the trash bag that folds over the side, and was very contentedly CHEWING on it.

EEEEWWWWW! YUUUUCK! EEEEEEWWWWW!

That's exactly what went through my mind. DISGUSTING!

I quickly took hold of the walker (she was only about 8 feet away!) and pulled her back toward me and AWAY from the trash can. Well, apparently she didn't understand why I'd just removed her from her brand new favorite toy, because she began to cry her eyes out for the remaining 20 minutes of breakfast time. Luckily that particular part of the trash can wasn't actually dirty yet.

Oh well, that was too bad for her. I was not about to let her chew herself into the trash no matter how happy it would make her! I mean seriously, even I have limits!!

My Moms Day Gift to You...SMILE!

2007-05-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

Maybe now you remember why you had them in the first place!

Happy Mother's Day!!

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Ever Feed Baby in the Bumbo?

2007-04-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Bumbo Tray for Bumbo Baby Sitter High Chair Seat Cushions
MOM TIME: 3 Minutes - Easier Clean Up!
AGE: 3 Months - 1 Year
NECESSITY SCALE: Want It!

I know, the title sounds wrong doesn't it? (Or maybe it's just me who has a warped sense of humor! You're right, it's me...Anyway...) But really, do you ever feed your baby in the Bumbo chair? I know I've already mentioned this chair before because I love it sooo much. You can therefore imagine my excitement when I recently came across this smart attachment...a feeding tray! I guess a lot of other moms have discovered how much easier it is to feed their kids in this rather than a high chair.

I like the fact that I can just pop it on and off to clean, because as of now my daughter makes quite a mess all over the seat itself when I'm trying to feed her...cracker mush, baby food smears. I'm sure you know just what I mean.

So, here's the Bumbo answer to all that. Yey! It keeps their hands where you can see them, and is good for putting a toy or two on the tray for them to play with instead of constantly going after the food-filled spoon...Nice idea Bumbo People.

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Perfect for Small Rooms

2007-04-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Scandinavian Child Cariboo Classic Changing Table - Mahogany Changing Tables

MOM TIME: 0 - But May Help Your Sanity (A place for everything, and everything in its place!)
AGE: Birth and Up
NECESSITY SCALE: Need It!

BONUS: Can Be Used To Store Toys After Babies Are Potty-Trained

Hmmm, was someone not exactly planned? Not enough room in your apartment or house for a "real" nursery? Eh, it's a baby for goodness sakes! They don't need that many things, but having somewhere to change their stinky diapers is probably a good idea, for both the baby and your sanity.

That's why I'm particularly fond of this little table. Unlike most changing tables, which are great because you can organize everything into neat rows and drawers but take up a large section of any room, this compact changer is perfect to squeeze into a corner. Depending on your situation, it may even fit nicely in your bathroom...and if not, then your living room or bedroom as well.

I'm warning you, this model is on the pricey side! It's made of mahogany wood, is imported, and is considered very stylish. However, the idea is there, and you may be able to find something a bit cheaper if you scout around. Still, I love this piece anyway...and since it can be used for other things, it may be worth the investment.

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Start 'Em Young

2007-04-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

My Quiet Book

MOM TIME: 5 Minutes - ? - How much does your child like to figure things out?
AGE: 2 - 5 Years
NECESSITY SCALE: Want It

This nifty little book could do the trick of entertaining your child if they like puzzles and other brain teaser activities. Do they know how to use a zipper? Can they buckle themselves in the car seat yet? If not then they might really like playing with this challenging book.

I assume that once they're adept at these complex skills they'll be bored out of their minds and go hunting for something else to try...Like figuring out how to turn on the stove, or how to make the dishwasher grow bubbles...Wonderful things you'll be proud of!

But until then you can pop this into their adorable hands and go do something constructive with yours.

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Honey, You Let Her Do What?!

2007-04-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

Draw in the Tub

MOM TIME: 0 - You Still Have To Watch Them In The Bath
AGE: 1.5 Years and Up
NECESSITY SCALE: Want It

Before you decide to tie your child's father up by the toes for allowing your three year old to draw all over themselves and the tub, take a breather. Yes, your tub looks like a macabre scene from "Artists Gone Wild" and your child looks dirtier now than before they got into the bath...but relax! It'll all easily wash away! Really, I promise!

This is one of those rare cheap thrills that you can give your child. "Sure Sweety, here are the crayons...color on anything you want!" Don't you wish your Mom or Dad had said that to you when you were little? (Much better than the reaction you got for drawing on the walls, I'm sure!)

Encourage their artistry and creativity, let them color their hands blue and their tummy's red. Make the tub into a underwater mural complete with fish, seaweed, and crabs. After all, they can only do these things for so long. As adults we'd get looked at *strangely* to put it mildly. Just remember to tell them it's only for the bath...Otherwise you might end up with swirly sofas...spotted rugs...

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SLAM! Mommy, that was Fun!

2007-04-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

Wooden Activity Table

MOM TIME: 10 - 45 Minutes
AGE: 1.5 - 5 Years
NECESSITY SCALE: Want It

This adorable play table should buy you up to an hour of free time whilst your toddler or young child educates themselves about colors and shapes. Triangles, squares, circles, red, green, blue...Go ahead kids, have a blast! And if your cuddly one isn't the most coordinated of the bunch (sure you might not admit it to others, but you know if yours is the one always falling over and knocking things down!), this should help with that too.

The only downside to this wonderful distractor is the material...wood. Imagine yourself trying to write a report for work, your little angel at your side playing quietly at the table, and all of a sudden...SLAM!...SLAM!...SLAM! That's right, the inevitable has occurred. They've discovered it's much more fun to whack the wood pieces against the wood top than it is to slowly and carefully put each piece in its correct slot like they're supposed to do. You sigh, because after all, it was a good effort on your part.

My suggestion: wait until they are old enough to play in another room by themselves before introducing this wonderfully educational toy. (You know, when they won't try to swallow the blocks!) Or, get Daddy to supervise in a very distant part of the house.

Overall though, great toy that your kids should love...especially the SLAM! part...

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Bumbo Seat - Thank the Gods for This!

2007-04-21T03:12:00.000-07:00

Bumbo Baby Seat - Blue

MOM TIME: 15 - 1.5 Hours
AGE: 3 Months - 1 Year
NECESSITY SCALE: Need It!

Hands down one of the best baby inventions ever. I kid you not! This ergonomically designed baby seat has come in so handy since Baby X could hold her head up! Unlike most baby containers, this one has no straps...but they still can't get wiggle themselves out of it no matter how hard they try.

I would pop Baby X in this thing, put one of those U shaped pillows around her with toys on top, and go about my business without worry. Of course I'd stay close by and check on her. But the point is she could sit there and play, long before she could actually sit up on her own, without me having to be the one holding her up.

Often I used it when I was doing required reading (I studied online), writing, or just needed a block of time to get something accomplished. As Baby X got older I used this chair instead of a high-chair to feed her. I guess she liked it more because it was less confining.

Overall, this is one baby item I would not want to live without. It lasts for quite a long time (up to a year...as you know that's a lot in Baby Time), is durable, safe, and babies really like the feeling of sitting up on their own. Plus, the older they get, the longer they seem to contentedly play in the chair. If it made me this happy, I'm sure other mothers would appreciate the periods of freedom it afforded me!

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Ummm, Yeah, Warm Wipes...

2007-04-21T02:22:00.000-07:00

Warm Glow Wipe Warmer
MOM TIME: 0 - But May Lead To Less Diaper Change Crying!
AGE: Birth and Up
NECESSITY SCALE: Want It

At first I laughed, then I was pensive, and now I just don't know what to think. Is it really necessary to warm up the baby wipes before they touch your oh-so-precious little one's behind? Shouldn't they learn to deal with a tiny bit of discomfort if they're going to survive this life?! Surely a momentary chill won't kill them, making this product rather, um, ridiculous?

On the other hand (this was the pensive part), I enjoy unnecessary luxury items now and then. Who doesn't like going to a fancy hotel and having a *gasp* towel warmer! It's really the same thing, and I adore the experience of wrapping myself up in a hot towel just after a shower. So why shouldn't Baby X be introduced to those things that make life not only bearable, but actually pleasant?

Also, I hate when it's cold outside and my toilet seat is freezing (especially in the middle of the night)! I understand why some babies start to cry when they are changed...

At last I've decided that while I might not go out and buy one of these straight away myself, I certainly would never refuse it as a gift!

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Fun with Letters? Yep!

2007-04-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Edutile Blocks - A, B, C

MOM TIME: Up To 1 Hour + Peace of Mind with Softer Floor
AGE: Birth - 7 Years
NECESSITY SCALE - Want It!

Seriously now Mischievous Moms, this is one of the hippest ways to decorate your kid's room. Yes, it's really a "toy," but as a "rug" it makes the floor an entertainment magnet without you having to do anything at all!

Firstly, the colors are not so bright that you're revolted. Second(ly?), it's made of a foam-like material that can make your otherwise dangerous hard tile floors nice and squishy. That's right, I see the wheels in your head turning...A squishy, safer floor means you can relax for a moment and take your eyes off of them for a whole FIVE seconds! Thirdly, it's easy to clean if something spills (if!), and it's easily removed and stored away for when you've invited the snobby in-laws to dinner. Finally, it's obviously educational.

Let's go through the benefits by age.

Birth-4 Months, just a cool nursery floor.
4 Months - Crawling, great for rolling over, and over, and over.
Crawling - Walking, don't have to worry about them bashing their heads when they fall.
Walking - 7 Years, play times, learning the alphabet times, & general merry making.

Overall, not something you really need, sure you could live without it - but for the amount and different types of use you'll get out of it, why not buy one?

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Floor Activity Mats - Need It!

2007-04-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Activitot Tropical Isle

MOM TIME: 10-50 Minutes
AGE: 1-8 Months
NECESSITY SCALE: Need It!

Floor activity mats are a bit like crib mobiles, they're supposed to entertain wee-ones with brightly colored things dangling in their faces or just out of their reach. From an adult's perspective, neither of those options sound like much fun.

Do you like having things dangling in your face? Probably not! You'd probably try to swat it away, or tear it to pieces...And that's exactly what your tiny tot will try to do as well! Except, well, they LIKE it. Crazy, I know!

In fact, all that batting and swatting is great for their development (hand-eye coordination, muscle tone, brain activity, etc.). Trust me, when they're beating all their friends at PlayStation 7 in a few years, they'll thank you for giving them this jump on the competition.

So, depending on just how involved your infant gets with one of these, they could entertain themselves for quite a while! And you don't have to feel guilty while going about your other business, because it's good for them.

Drawbacks: Some babies don't seem all that interested in their environment until around 3 months, and this can only be used until they start to crawl (7-10 months about), so your baby may only use this for a few months.

Is it worth it for that little amount of time? It depends on how much you think your time is worth...After all, an hour of happy time for them is an hour of productive time for you! Do the math!

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6 months, activity center, baby, baby gift, gift, infant, mischievous moms, mom, playset

Portable Bassinet - Super Cool Mom

2007-04-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

MOM TIME: ??
AGE: Birth-6 Months
NECESSITY SCALE: Want It!

Just imagine how super cool you'd feel with one of these portable and convertible bassinets. Now I know what you're thinking, why on Earth would any reasonable person buy this? First of all, it's really only good until your little creepy crawler starts to, er, crawl...or even roll over for that matter.

But although it seems slightly impractical, it's still really nifty and has that certain Mommy-On-The-Go appeal that we all love. Plus, look how happy the baby seems...no crying or fussing, pure contentment!

Back to Reality - There are a couple reasons why this travel bed would be a great buy. Think GIFT. If you know a woman who Seems To Have Everything and is ready to pop out a Seems To Have Everything Baby, then this would surely do the trick at her baby shower.

Or, if you're a new Mom who really does have to travel a lot, even from one house or hotel to another, this bassinet may be well worth the price...Lucky you! While the rest of us want it for its Super Cool Appeal, you actually need it, making you...a Super Cool Mom!

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activity center, baby, baby gift, birth, cool , gift, infant, mischievous moms, mom, portable , travel

Baby Bjorn Front Carrier - An Essential

2007-04-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

Baby Bjorn Original Carrier - City Black

MOM TIME: 20 Minutes - 3 Hours
AGE: Birth - 9 Months
NECESSITY SCALE: Impossible to Live Without!

Infant carriers are one of those things that have always existed for a reason! Whether it's a simple cloth wrapping or an ultra-cool carrier like the Bjorn, mothering can not be successfully accomplished without one.

From the time Baby X was born, I used this carrier non-stop. When she was extremely tiny, I put her to face inward toward my chest and was able to go about my day with relative ease (I said relative ease...I was still a walking zombie from sleep deprivation, but at least this way I had both hands free to catch myself before I fell over)! She, on the other hand, was able to sleep in the carrier whenever she wanted, regardless of what I was up to.

As she grew older and wanted to see more than just her food supply, I turned her to face out, which proved to be a wonderful source of entertainment while I did things such as buy groceries. Carrying her like this was stimulating for her, and very freeing for me.

Eventually though this type of carrying became increasingly painful on my back, so it was time to graduate to a back carrier instead.

But for those first 9 months, this gizmo was worth its weight in platinum!

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baby, baby carrier, baby gift, birth, infant, mischievous moms

Walker Activity Centers - An Essential

2007-04-19T05:42:00.000-07:00

Baby Sit & Step 2-in-1 Activity Center

MOM TIME: 10-20 Minutes

AGE: 6 Months & Up
NECESSITY SCALE: Must Have!

As every parent knows, if something happily occupies your baby for more than ten minutes at a time, it's a keeper. End of discussion.

I've found that activity centers such as these are one of the best ways to safely entrap my little one, giving me those extra minutes to do the really fun things in life...like the dishes, or paying bills!

Starting at roughly six months, I was able to pop Baby X in her activity center and spread out in front of her a plethora of chewy, shakable, and soft toys knowing that she would joyfully frolic about until all of them were strewn every-which-way on the floor around her...At which point she would start to scream - approximately fifteen minutes.

Just enough time to have a quiet and leisurely (ha!) breakfast or dinner with Husband X.

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6 months, activity center, baby, mischievous moms, playset