September 11, 2007

Hip Carriers...I Think I'm Stupid

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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!

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

September 08, 2007

Lately...

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!

June 21, 2007

Warning: Feeding Babies Salt-Water Is Bad!!

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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June 10, 2007

A Car Seat Swing? Nice!


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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June 09, 2007

Scratching, Biting, Pulling, and Loving

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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June 07, 2007

Cheeky Shirts for the Littles

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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Love, Learn, Grow!

Moms & Experts Pick Top 10 ToysHelp Your Child Learn and Save
 

eBeanstalk Announces First Annual List of Top Ten Developmental Toys Selected by eBeanstalk Child Experts and 500 Mom Mother Board

With so many choices, shopping for just the right toy can be an overwhelming undertaking for new parents who can find themselves endlessly roaming the aisles and the internet looking for the perfect play experience for their child. In fact, 65 % of those shopping for young children find it difficult to locate toys that help in learning and development. Now finding the best toys to nurture intellectual and physical growth for your infant or toddler has just been made easier.

1 Farm Friends Bowling by International Playthings -- “Set them up, then knock them down! Toddlers love cause and effect (and watching things fall down!).

S T R I K E ! Farm Friends Bowling includes brightly colored, numbered, textured bowling pins in the shape of animals. Each pin makes a noise when shaken and the colorful bowling ball makes a chiming noise as it rolls.”

2 Stacking Toy & Ball Game by Tiny Love -- “It’s two toys in one!”

The Stacking Toy & Ball Game is an exciting 2-in-1 electronic stacker with a ball game. As a stacking toy, the rings can be threaded on to the base. As a game, your child can drop a ball into the funnel-shaped elephant head at the top of the stack to hear fun sounds and see flashing lights. Batteries included.

3 Pizza Pile Up by International Playthings --“A great way to experiment with weights and balance. Too much on one side and you lose all your toppings!”

Pizza Pile Up is a game that features a wobbling Poppa holding a pizza pie. Each player roles the die and then puts toppings on the pie, the first to knock over the pie loses.

4 Counting Cookies by Learning Resources --“Simply THE BEST toy for teaching counting!”

I love to count! Counting Cookies includes ten numbered cookies, each with the corresponding number of chips on top. The Counting Cookies are made of soft plastic and come in their own sturdy plastic cookie jar.

Counting Cookies
5 Fun With Fruit by Small World Toys -- ”A great toy that strengthens the hands and promotes imaginary play.”

Fun With Fruit is a brightly-colored set of plastic fruit that comes apart into segments and can be peeled. The 13-piece set includes a fruit bowl, apple, strawberry, grape, orange, watermelon, peach, pineapple, pear, plum, lemon, banana, and a plastic knife that makes a realistic cutting sound.

6 Zolo Linko by Kushies -- “Hold them, chew them, pull them apart and put them together-a great first toy for manipulation.”

This is one activity-loaded teething toy. Zolo Linkos connect to create a chain or clip onto other Zolo baby toys. Zolo Linko features three lovable characters, four bite and chew teethers, four hold-together rings and a variety of textures.

7 Make Your Own Postcards by Handa --“The sky’s the limit when a child can create a card and send it off in the mail.”

Make Your Own Postcards includes 10 postcards, over 250 pop-out shapes, and a glue stick. After your little one has finished decorating, help them send the postcards to family and friends.

8 Hullabaloo by Cranium --“A fun game that helps listening skills and motor skills all at the same time!”

Hullabaloo is the high-energy game that is full of cool tunes, fun sounds, and all kinds of surprises. Kids listen closely and think fast as they bounce, twist, spin, high-five, and dance to the music, sounds, and friendly voice of Hullabaloo. The manufacturer recommends this toy is for ages 4 and up but our experts have this toy in the 3 year old age because it is a toy that grows with your child.

9 Roaring Dinosaur by Cranium --“Roar with your mouth, stomp with your feet! This dinosaur is a great mix of sensory stimulation and pretend play.”

Unleash the animal inside your youngster with the Giggle Gear Roaring Dinosaur Dress-Up Toy. This soft, plush dinosaur costume is the perfect mix of disguise and sensory stimulation. The T-Rex head growls, rumbles, and roars with movement, while the clawed feet crash, clomp and stomp.

10 Play Foam by Educational Insights. -- “Make new creations over and over again.”

Play Foam is a lightweight, colorful foam sculpting material that won't crumble, and won't stick to skin or surfaces. So there's no cleanup required. And Play Foam never dries, which means you can use it over and over and over again. Includes 6 Play Foam bricks in vibrant colors and an idea sheet.

  Shop Now!