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?!
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Bad Computer!

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