Mollie's Swimsuit Issue 2011

Last week my mom and sister came over to my house with the latest Hanna Andersson catalog and showed me a swimsuit they thought would be perfect for Mollie.  I agreed that we should give it a shot, and they ordered it for the little lady.

It finally came this Monday and they couldn't wait to try it on her.  Unfortunately, she's been quite difficult to get dressed lately, so they tried it on over her onesie.  The result was beyond adorable.

Isn't it the cutest suit?!  I love it that it has shorts instead of ... well, nothing; because now her little legs will be protected from the sun.  Plus, it's one whole piece so nothing will be riding up on her.  And, of course, it's adorable!

If you're planning on ordering anything from Hanna Andersson, be aware of the sizing; they use centimeter sizing so you'll have to do a little extra leg work there, but I think it ends up being a little more precise.  Mollie is a size 80, with a little extra room to spare.

Isn't she such a fashion plate in her swimsuit?  I'm probably biased because I'm her mom, but if there were a baby swimsuit issue I know she'd be on the cover!

Snack Trap

Every day, Baylor gets to have a little snack, usually two handfuls (his hands, not mine) of Goldfish crackers.  We put them in this handy little contraption called a Snack Trap, and keep on playing.  Why?  Because this awesome little bowl keeps the snack in.  We actually got it for free at Stride Rite during his first shoe fitting, and at first I didn't think it was ever going to be used.  But he loves his little green bowl now.

The whole thing is quite simple, really.  It's just a little plastic bowl with a lid on top that has a bunch of slits cut into it so he can get his little hand in.

See?

Is it fool-proof?  Nope.  Things occasionally get out, and you could never put anything wet in there.  (Unlike the Gyro Bowl you may have seen recently on TV that claims to be spill-proof ... intriguing.)  But it serves a purpose and it wasn't super expensive; in our case, it was free.  (Usually they go for a little under $2.00 if you buy them at a store like Babies R Us.)

Anyhow, I just thought I'd share this with you since we have had such success with this little bowl.  I don't like him eating all over the house, leaving a trail of crumbs wherever he goes, but with the Snack Trap the mess is kept to a minimum.

As always, I am not paid for any of my endorsements on here.  I like what I like, and I enjoy talking about it. 

The Kids These Days: Ages 9 Months and 2 Years

Kids change so much at this age.  From one day to the next, they can add a whole new skill set, a ton of new words, a new favorite thing, or a new phobia.  How are my kids these days?  Well, ...

Amalia, currently about nine-and-a-half months old, is quite the character.  At the dining table, she is very discerning about her food; if she doesn't want to eat something, no amount of pleading, airplane-ing, or cajoling will get her to unpurse her lips.  She smells her food before she eats it, particularly if she knows I might be trying to sneak in something she doesn't like.  So, to get her to eat things she isn't overly thrilled about, I scoop some of that up (usually her cereal), then I dip it in something she will actually be eager to eat (fruit, veggies, meats, etc.).  She smells the non-cereal food and opens her mouth.  And sometimes, if she's really unsure, she'll sneak her tongue out from her pursed lips and sneak a quick taste to see what's being offered.  She is, most certainly, a funny, very particular, little lady.

A while back, maybe a month or two ago, Mollie was having trouble sleeping through the night.  In spite of my diligence putting her to bed awake every night thus ensuring she was able to get herself to sleep, she would wake in the middle of the night and not sleep for up to three hours at a time.  At her last appointment I begged our pediatrician, Dr. Mike, for some advice.  After asking me a few questions, he said he wasn't quite sure what was going on, that it sounded like she knew how to go to sleep.  So he recommended three things: rearrange all her furniture (maybe a shadow was scaring her), get her a night light (maybe she was afraid of waking up in the dark), and try a sound machine.  For whatever reason, we tried the sound machine first and it has worked.  Like seriously worked.  She's only had a few rough nights since we started with the sound machine, and most of them were because of something clear-cut (pooped in her sleep, zipper pull sticking her in the chin, etc.).  I'm seriously considering getting one for Baylor for his room because I feel like noises from outside might be keeping him from napping well and sleeping long enough into the morning.  We'll see.

Mollie has fallen in love.  My girl loves, unequivocally LOVES, climbing stairs.  She sneaks over to them and starts climbing.  All the live long day, she snorts and breaths heavy and makes cute noises while she's slapping her hands on the floor as she crawls around the house, but when she takes to the stairs she goes into stealth mode.  It's amazing ... and, as her mother, it is scary.

Much to my delight, Mollie is finally starting to get into books.  Before she wouldn't sit still long enough to be read to, but now she seems to like them ... especially Sandra Boynton books and anything with giant peekaboo flaps and babies.

Oh, and another cute thing ... she does the wonky oar-and-rudder crawl when she's on tile or another equally slippery surface, but when she hits the carpet it's straight crawling all the way.  And boy is she fast!

On to the little man, now 2 years and 4 months old ...

Baylor is talking a lot these days!  He always has something to say, and I can understand pretty much everything he says (though I know I have a distinct advantage being around him so much and all).  While he is pretty good at expressing himself, he often has trouble getting things out.  For example, when he wants something, he often starts off his sentence with, "I need-ta, have-ta, want-ta ..."  And then sometimes he just pauses to collect his thoughts.

He is always telling us he loves us, and one way he expresses his love is to say that he wants to go and get us a Christmas tree.  I love that about him; he thinks love is a Christmas tree.

Baylor loves his sister; he loves it when she gets into stuff and will often exclaim, "Mollie, what are you doing?!"  They have fun together chasing around the house, her usually following him  They shriek, they giggle, they have all sorts of fun getting into trouble together (I found them headed up the stairs together the other day ... sigh).  She often wants to do exactly what he's doing, and he's not great at sharing just yet so sometimes it is more of a "can I get away from this little girl?" kinda deal.  And sometimes he just wants to have whatever she has because she has it, so he'll snatch it from her little hands and walk away.  Mollie, good girl that she is, will just follow him and the toy she lost and reclaim it once he's done.  I have confidence, though, that Baylor will get the hang of sharing soon enough; it's just going to take a little time.

His favorite food right now is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with honey on it.  And he thinks everyone and every thing wants one of his favorite sandwiches, dogs, cats, characters in books ... everyone.  Because who wouldn't want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with honey on it?

Illuminated by his new found verbal skills is his amazing imagination.  The little dude is always pretending this or that, from washing his hands under a faucet coming out of the wall next to the glider in his room, to changing the color of the lights, to using his closet as the elevator at the Gardens so he can go visit the turtles and fishies.  It's amazing what his mind comes up with and what he deems important enough to be reenacted.

And sometimes when he's talking about these thoughts of his, he'll talk in a type of third-person narration.  Just now after his nap he was talking about getting some stickers out of his closet and he said, "And the stickers are in here, he said."  I love that the stories we've read to him are starting to come through in his speech.

As a result of one of his Christmas gifts (thank you again, GiGi and Great-Grandpa!), we have started a new morning routine with the little man; every morning we get up and put a new sticker on his very own truck calendar!  He gets very excited about it all, plotting out what color sticker he'll put on the next day and checking out the days of the week, the months, etc.  It's a great way for him to learn about our calendar system, and he has really started looking forward to getting out of bed in the morning instead of wanting to laze around his crib for as long as I'd let him.

So that's what's new with the kids.  What's new with you?

My Ideal Baby Registry

A pregnant friend recently asked me what I would suggest she add to her registry; what I liked, what we used, what was crap.

So here it is, my ideal baby registry if I had to do it all over again ... which I am most certainly NOT.

Carter's white onesies in various sizes and sleeve-lengths.  (They are longer in the body than Gerber brand onesies, so they tend to fit longer.)  You might think you won't use them given all the cute clothes you'll be getting, but trust me ... you'll need them.  At least one pack of each size in each sleeve-length is probably a good start.

Halo sleep sacks or Carter's Sleep & Play or 1-Piece Fleece Pajamas.  I would have originally gone with only the former, but as it turns out not all babies like sleep sacks.  Baylor loved them, Mollie hates them.  Neither liked swaddling much so I can't help you out there.

Gerber flannel burp cloths.  They are super absorbent, big but not too big, and are soft to the touch.  Even if you're kid isn't too much of a spitter-upper, you can use these for face-to-floor protection during tummy time, a lightweight nursing cover, or a make-shift changing pad.  Because make-shift times happen, you know?

Carter's or Just One You by Carter's wash cloths.  We own probably twenty or more of these and use them constantly.  They are soft and still manage to get the job done during mealtime.

Newborn-to-toddler tub.  It works in the sink or in the bath tub, and it comes with a sling to use for when your little one is extra tiny.  And when your kiddo can finally sit up, just turn the tub around and he/she can sit up during bath time.

Hooded towel.  Bath time is a great time to get kiddos warmed up, but as soon as you take them out of the tub, that cold air hits and they start to freeze.  A hooded towel is a great way to keep them warmer longer.

Glamourmom Nursing Tank.  I tried other nursing gear at night and this was the best ... by far.

Boppy with two cotton covers.  It is great for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, general baby holding, and it can act as a support when your baby starts to do more than sleep and wants to sit up to see things.  Have at least one extra cover on hand in case of spit up, excessive drooling, poo or pee leakage, breast milk leaking, or any other mishap with bodily fluids.

A basic bouncy seat.  I am not all for the frills some bouncy seats come with, but I will say that I think it's nice to have two if you have a two-story house.  I kept one - purchased at a consignment store - upstairs in our bathroom so I could take a shower every morning, and I kept another downstairs for use the rest of the time.  I tried schlepping our swing up and down stairs all the time with Baylor and it about drove me crazy.  Plus, it took up a ton of room in the bathroom.

Baby Einstein Play Mat.  Apparently they don't make the one we have anymore, but the one I have linked to has the same star we have and that is, in my opinion, the important part.  If you can't find this play mat, however, I think any play mat will do; it's just nice to have something for your little one to play with when he/she is very little.

Medela Swing breast pump.  (If you're planning on going back to work, I'd get one of the Medela pumps that can do both sides at once.)   I tried the hand pump thing with Baylor and it was torture.  I am not a huge fan of pumping anyways, but at least with this one I have one hand free and can keep myself from being mind-numbingly bored while I pump my breakfast away ... every ... single ... morning.  Yeah, I pump every single morning so Mollie (and Baylor before her) can have breast milk in her oatmeal.  I also pump every morning so  I can have some stocked up in case I actually get the chance to go out without her.  It's what I do, but I know it's not for everyone.

Safety 1st nail clippers with files.  I don't like filing a baby's nails, but sometimes you have to in the beginning.  That aside, this nail clipper is awesome; so awesome that my husband would use it exclusively if I didn't shoo him away from it all the time.

Rectal thermometer.  Just man up and do it.  I consider this a rite of passage for any new parent.  Plus, it's tried and true, proven for decades to be accurate.  The kiddo won't mind it.  And this is probably a little TMI, but it might come in handy if your kid is ever constipated.  'Nuff said.

Little Noses by Little Remedies nasal aspirator and saline.  You can buy them as a set and this is, hands down, the best nasal aspirator I have used.  (Not that I've used a lot, but hear me out ...)  It can be taken apart for easy cleaning, it is angled for ease of use, and the tip of it is clear so you can see if you got anything with it.  Get it before you need it ... you'll thank me later.

Sony Baby Monitor.  We started out with this Graco one, but the battery life on it is awful.  The Sony one is much better, has several channel options, and still won't break the bank.  I don't think you need a video monitor, but there have been a couple times when I've wished we had one.  That said, we have friends who struggled to find a good one and it all seemed a little creepy to me.  But that's just my opinion.

A baby's first year calendar.  If you can find it, get a 13-month one.  Having that wall calendar up will make it easy to record all those amazing little milestones without needing to get out the baby book and trying to find the right page.  Just write it on the calendar and you can record it in the baby book later for posterity.

Chicco travel system.  Don't bother getting the Chicco Key Fit 30 ... you won't want to carry a 30 pound baby in an infant car seat; together they'll break your back.  Just stick with the one that goes up to 22 pounds, and be ready to get a bigger, stationary car seat sometime within the first year (if your kids are anything like mine).  We have been really happy with the Chicco brand, though thankfully we haven't had an accident to really put it to the test.  The stroller steers well, though, and the car seat is extraordinarily sturdy.  It might make your kiddo a little sweaty while in it, but you can purchase covers for the car seat that will cut down on sweatiness a little bit.  Ooh!  And they now have a Chicco double stroller that will fit the infant car seat ... so no worries there!

A simple pack n' play with a changing table attachment.  I don't see the need for the high-tech fanciness going on with some pack n' plays.  We had a really simple one that just had the bed, the infant "hammock" insert (I don't know what it's called, but that's what it reminded me of), and a changing table attachment; we kept it up in our living room so we didn't have to change the kiddo on the carpet, and it worked really well for a long time.  If you have a single-story home, this might not be as much of a problem, but we also used this as a crib and changing table during a couple vacations and it worked well.

Diaper Genie II.  It's great, but here's the catch ... as far as I'm concerned, NOTHING can contain that smell - you know, poo smell - entirely or for very long.  It just doesn't happen.  We haven't tried any other diaper pails, but we like the Diaper Genie II for its ease of use and how difficult it is for a toddler to get into it (if properly shut).  If you're going to do disposable diapers, I think this is the pail to go with.

Cloth diapers.  I like them, I do.  We use prefolds, a Snappi, and a diaper cover, along with assorted doublers and inserts.  They work well, keep diaper rash at bay, are good for the environment and the pocketbook, and that diaper pail stinks WAY less than the one with disposables in it (since you flush the poop out and all).  But they are a commitment.  It's doing two or three extra loads of laundry a week on top of all the laundry you already do.  It is carrying around a urine-soaked piece of cloth if you're out and about.  They also are quite bulky and give your kiddo the "Sally O'Malley" look most of the time.  It's a personal choice every mother has to make.  I personally use both cloth and disposable, as I have found that it's tough to carry enough cloth diapers with me if I'm going out with both kids (particularly if it's for a long day).  Also, none of the other people (besides my husband) who might care for my kids are too hip on using cloth (and I'm a stay-at-home mom), so if you're thinking of going back to work, check to see if the daycare/grandparent/etc. you'll be using will use cloth diapers.  If they won't, maybe just get enough for the weekends.  I can't speak much to other kinds of cloth diapers, but I think the best advice is to do as much as you can.  If you can handle cloth diapering exclusively, do it!  And go you!  If you can't handle it at all, that's okay.  It doesn't make you any more or less of a mother either way.

If you're not up for cloth, I recommend Pampers Baby Dry for everyday use, and as the kiddo gets older, Huggies overnights for nighttime.

In our kids' rooms, they each have a crib, a dresser, a changing table (or a dresser with a contoured changing pad on top of it),a hamper, a glider, ceiling fans with lights, blackout cellular shades, and a dim lamp.  I am of the strong opinion that controlling the amount of light in your child's room is essential, and for what it's worth, neither of our kids have had a problem with being in the dark.  Baylor will even shut himself in a pitch black closet once in a while to play hide-and-seek and he never gets freaked out.

As for diaper bags, I'm sort of in the mindset that having an assortment of options is ideal.  I have two big diaper bags - one I love and one I haven't used since Baylor was a baby - and I use the one I love pretty much all the time.  It is a JJ Cole and it is wonderful.  And super cute to boot!  But I also have a bunch of purses and a backpack I use when the mood strikes or the occasion calls for it.  A number of Vera Bradley bags make great diaper bags and can be thrown in the washing machine in case they get dirty.  The ones I use the most are the backpack and the On-The-Go purse.  No need to schlep the entire diaper bag for a trip to the grocery store or the bagel shop, you know?

And because your kiddo is going to be eating exclusively breast milk or formula for only so long ...

Munchkin White Hot spoons.  They are small enough to scrape the corners of baby food jars and sneak into your adorable baby's mouth during that brief moment he/she decides to stop clenching his/her lips.

Suction bowls.  They are awesome!  They come with lids for use while on the go, they keep the kiddo from tossing them (at least without a little effort), and they don't tip over very easily, especially when the little one is learning how to self-feed.

Graco Contempo Highchair.  This highchair is great; it folds up nice and flat for storage (or for when you are cleaning the kitchen/dining room floor), it usually comes with two covers - both of which are removable and easy to clean, and it can either have a three-point or five-point harness.  Baylor still isn't able to get out of this highchair ... it's that awesome.

Hippo Chair.  For when you're on the go, or if you need seating at a bar, this is an ideal solution.  We use this all the time, but it does only go up to 37 pounds which Baylor is quickly approaching.  In any case, it is a great little chair.

Oh, and I've been wanting to post my top three bibs for a while now ... so here they are in no particular order:

The Bumkin Waterproof Superbib.  This, right now, is our go-to bib for all meals.  It comes in various sizes and patterns, it can be thrown in the washing machine for easy cleaning, and it folds up teeny-tiny so you can bring it with you pretty much anywhere without adding a lot of bulk to your bag.  Awesome!

Carter's Teething Bibs.  These are bibs for non-mealtimes.  For kiddos who drool, these thick bibs are the only thing that can slow the wetness from getting to your kiddo's clothes.  And I say slow because, quite frankly, drool is insidious and it will get through anything.  It is just a matter of time.

Dexbaby bibs.  These bibs are peculiar, in my opinion, but we love them.  They unsnap for easy cleaning, and nothing ... NOTHING ... can get through this sucker.  But it's stiff and bulky, so it's really not for use outside of mealtime.

So that's it.  I have probably forgotten something, and if I have there is a chance I posted about it earlier in the blog.  If you want to make sure, or want other ideas for gifts or registries, check out my "baby supplies" and "gift ideas" labels on the side bar.  Hopefully what you need is in there.  If it's not and you want to pick my brain, just drop me a line either on e-mail, facebook, or in the comments of this blog.  And if any of you moms out there have anything to add, please do!

I hope this helped!  Have a beautiful day!

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!!  I did forget something, and my sister called me on it.  The Innobaby Packin' SMART Stackers are hands down one of the most useful baby supplies I have.  I use them pretty much every day - which is probably why I forgot them; they are so much a part of my routine that I just assume they're there.  Great for toting dry cereal, Cheerios, puffs, even little cookies, this is a must have for any mom!  Thanks, Christine, for buying these for me (and for catching my mistake in their omission)!

Overnight Diapers That ACTUALLY Work!

Remember back in January when I wrote this? Yeah, I didn't know anything back then. Those diapers ended up leaking just like all the other diapers before them. Apparently my boy has a monster-sized bladder. (Yes, I know he'll be mortified if he ever finds out I wrote that.)

For months we have been searching for the perfect overnight diapers. A good friend suggested Huggies Overnights and swore her boy hadn't leaked from them once. Love you, Colleen, but they were no match for Baylor and his copious amounts of urine. He was soaked by morning and I did more laundry than I care to remember.

On the advice of my therapist, we decided to try big kid overnight diapers. Like for kids who are potty trained but still pee during the night on occasion. They don't even have baby sizes; they come in 2T-3T or 3T-4T. My mom, hero that she is, went to the store to buy some for him and, by George, they work! These are the kind she got. Funnily enough, though, she bought the girl ones on accident, so he's been wearing princess diapers every night for nearly the past week. But I don't care because he's only leaked once and it was only a little bit, not the whole-bed soaking we had become accustomed to. Obviously this won't work for smaller kids, but if you have a smaller toddler then perhaps his/her bladder is smaller too and will be easily accomodated by other brands and types of overnighters. For those of you with big kiddos, this is THE way to go!

So thank you to Leslie, should you ever read this, I am deeply in your debt for both your therapy skills and for suggesting these diapers!

Mollie's Seat

Oma got Mollie the BebePod Plus, a little infant seat for her to use so she can see the world. Her neck strength had finally gotten to the point that I thought she might be able to use this seat, so we busted it out one day during Baylor's nap and gave it a whirl.

She was mesmerized, to say the least.

At times she listed a bit.

But with a little help from Mama she straightened back up and continued to demonstrate her intense ability to concentrate.

Oh, and on a cute side-note, Miss Mollie has loved playing with her hair ever since she was born, but I had been unable to capture it on camera.

Until now!

So cute, right?! She loves getting her little fingers all tangled up in her hair. I think it is soothing for her.

Go Green: Reusable Nursing Pads

Nursing pads are pretty uniformly awful, I have found. They are bulky, lumpy, and always show up under your clothes. And if you buy disposable ones, they are pricey and rather wasteful.

Enter the reusable nursing pad.

Now, I will say that it's not as convenient to have to wash and dry your nursing pads; I bought the Gerber Reusable Nursing Pads and, since they come in a six pack, I have to wash them every three days. But it saves us money, and I don't have to throw them away after one use. And really, they're quite easy to wash; just throw them in a bowl with some hot water and a drop or two of gentle detergent and you're good to go!

Many companies make reusable nursing pads, but they aren't prominently displayed in stores so finding them may take a little effort (or you may have to order them online). Some shops on Etsy also make them; I haven't tried any of those, but I might if my Gerber ones give out on me.

Will they work for everyone? Nope. Some women make too much milk to be contained by these pads. But I like them just as much as other nursing pads I've tried, so the savings to our wallet and the Earth are worth it.

Go green!

Cloth Diapering Saga: Part 2

Our initial foray into cloth diapering was a little frustrating, in part because we had purchased so few diapers that I couldn't get into a rhythm with it. So, I did a little more research, got a little more advice, and found a store in town with a wider selection of cloth diapering supplies.

After an hour-and-a-half visit to Hop Scotch, I came home with a bunch of new diapers to try.

In the photo above: a Mother-ease recycled fleece diaper for Baylor to try, a cover for said diaper, bamboo doubler (since we were trying that for him at night), Osocozy infant prefolds, Bummis Super Brite diaper cover, Bummis fleece liners (for a stay-dry feeling for Miss Mollie), and some awesome instructions. Not pictured: a set of Snappis.

Here is one of the prefolds unfolded.

Yeah, and instead of having to wash the prefolds a million times to try to make them absorbent, they suggested boiling them for 10 to 15 minutes then washing them once. SO much easier! (Though I have to say, our biggest pot was not nearly big enough for boiling six infant prefolds. Ugh!)

The outcome?

Well, Baylor hated the one we got for him. He wore it once, soaked the sucker, then after I got it washed he wouldn't wear it again. I think the leg holes were too small for his sizable thighs. Luckily, Hop Scotch let us return it for store credit. Whew!

As for Mollie, the cloth diapering has been going well. The Bummis cover is a bit stiff for her and has been pinching her legs a bit, so I got more Thirsties covers because they seem softer and fit better to her body. The infant prefolds are almost too small, but they'll work for now. And the Snappis really help keep the poop within the confines of the prefold.

What does that all mean?

Right now, we'll be cloth diapering for Mollie and sticking with disposables for Baylor. As much as I'd like to cloth diaper him as well, he's a bit too big for what is available these days.

More to come soon!

Take The Leap?: Cloth Diapers

Well, I have finally begun to think about taking the leap over to cloth diapers. After going through diaper after diaper after diaper with the little lady, and having to empty out all three of our diaper pails yesterday, I am beginning to realize what an impact using disposable diapers is having on our finances and our environment. It's astonishing how many diapers two kids like these can go through!

So, to the parents out there that have gone this route before, I need some advice. What kind of diapers did you like? What brand, if any, did you use? Pros? Cons? Helpful hints? Any advice would be great!

The Suburban of Strollers

Our new stroller is a behemoth, but it's pretty sweet! We chose the Chicco Cortina Together stroller because we have a Chicco Keyfit infant car seat, and this is the only double stroller it will safely snap into without an additional attachment. This is the first and only in-line double stroller Chicco has made so it has been highly anticipated and in hot demand, so much so that my sister had to order it online from a company in California. It finally arrived via UPS the other day, and though my sister and I put it together immediately the weather wasn't nice enough to try it out until yesterday.

After dinner last night, though, the sun was out and the air was mild, so we decided to take the kids for a stroll through the neighborhood. With Mollie in the back and Baylor in the front, we paused for a sec for a few pictures of the new ride and the first walk as a family of four.

She slept through the entire walk, creaking and squeaking occasionally along the way.

Cheesy smile, anyone?

Apparently I took one photo too many ... that is Bryson's "come on, already!" face.

The stroller worked great; it handled well and rode smoothly. The real test will be taking it on a shopping trip, but for now this was a good first run.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for this awesome ride for the kiddos!

More "Bowl-ing"

The new suction bowls have generated a lot of excitement around mealtime at our house, so they are getting a lot of use. And we've been trying new foods in them, too!

Like yogurt ...

... that was a pretty messy endeavor, though.

And pasta ...

... always a favorite, but still super messy.

And, of course, applesauce!

The little man could not be happier to have a bowl or two to call his own.

Sometimes it's the simple things in life, you know?

Overnight Diapers That Work! Hallelujah!

Since our little guy has been sleeping through the night, we have been on the lookout for a diaper that can keep him dry all the way to morning. We have tried Pampers Extra Protection, but they worked just about as well as Pampers Baby Dry and cost a decent amount more. More leaks means more laundry for me, so finding a great nighttime diaper is important.

And I think we have a winner!

Fisher-Price has come out with a line of diapers called Happy Days, Happy Nights. We saw them by chance at Babies R Us last weekend and decided to give the Happy Nights version a go. And it works! We haven't had a leak with them yet (knock on wood!), and that makes a mama happy! The diapers themselves are a little on the stiff side, but Baylor doesn't seem to mind it at all.

So far, so good! I highly recommend these diapers for overnight purposes; they really do seem to work well! Hallelujah!

Best Bets: Socks!

Since Little B has been mobile - heck, since he was born, really - I have been on a quest to find a good pair of socks that will stay on his little feet. I think I have finally found them! The Children's Place sells cuffed socks that have been tried and tested by my little man and have come out on top. Here is how they are sold and should be worn to help them stay on your child's foot.

And here is how they look when they come through the laundry, all unfolded and amazingly the size they were when they went in.

As you can see, they come in a variety of colors and all have grippers on the bottom for those children who have discovered their mobility. (Oh, and they come in girl colors too, but I didn't buy any of those for obvious reasons.)

I highly recommend these socks for children of any age; Baylor is currently in size 12 to 24 months, and they still have a little room for him to grow into them. Try them out ... I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

You're Safe!

My husband figured out the gate situation ... we ended up sticking with the Safety 1st Lift & Lock Gate for the top of the stairs, and while it isn't perfect it might be the only one that will fit in our particular space. With the installation of that gate, Safety 1st Press & Pivot latches on our drawers and cabinets, a wooden Evenflo gate in our living room, outlet plugs, and other assorted safety accoutrement we are now (almost) fully babyproofed. Here are some pictures from our adventures ...

My hero.

The upstairs gate.

My son strength testing the living room gate (that we are using in lieu of a bottom-of-the-stairs gate).

So far, so good.

Testing out the outlet plugs ... no shocks! Ah woo hoo!

Troubles at the Gate

Last night we tried to install a safety gate at the top of the stairs. It didn't go so well (we could really use some recommendations if you guys have any), but we got some cute pictures out of it!

My son inspecting the box to the gate that will probably go downstairs.

Helping Daddy with the tool box ... that sucker is heavy!

Gotta select just the right tool!

Cute break!

My son snuck away from us to check out the tower of diapers and wipes in his room. We were shocked to find him standing up next to it after less than a minute away.

Teething Bites!

Ha ha. I know, I am corny.

But it does! Teething bites! My poor baby was up moaning last night at around 2:30/3:00 a.m. and again at about 6:30 a.m. His two bottom front teeth have already broken through and this morning I thought I saw a "bud" of a new top front tooth.

Here's a question for all you veteran moms out there ...

How many teeth do kids usually get at a time? I thought they came in one at a time, but it seems to be an onslaught!

We'll be keeping up with the Oragel (thanks, Sharon!) and the baby Tylenol today!

More Pictures from the Trip

Our makeshift high chair for the trip. No five-point harness, but it worked well enough.

Ah, there's nothing like a diaper check in the well/trunk of a minivan to get a boy all excited! Not quite.

My son's first time on the beach ... his toes were made for digging in the sand. And he smiled all the while.

Something new ... whimper-crying when we are tired. Here he is out to dinner, having it up to here with being a big boy. He alternated this with huge smiles ... it was quite cute.

With Oma and Grandpa E ... excited about a Spartan victory and their trip to the Final Four!

Hope you enjoy the pictures! I'll try to post some more soon!

Florida or Bust!

Yeah, we're going to Florida on Monday. Ah, woo hoo! My husband, my son, and I are flying down with my parents and sister to Captiva Island, Florida (just off Ft. Myers), and we are sooo looking forward to it. I am bringing my camera and my computer cord (my sister and husband are both bringing their computers so I will have access ... yay!) so I will hopefully be able to post while we are down there.

In the meantime, we are trying to pack up for our first vacation with our little man. There are so many things to think about and bring - car seat, stroller, pack n' play, clothes, hats, blankets, toys, sunscreen, vitamins, etc. Whoa. Not to mention the leap of faith I feel like we are taking checking a bunch of this stuff. If it it was a direct connection I wouldn't worry, but we are going through Detroit and if his car seat gets lost en route we are a little screwed.

*Deep breath, Nicole.*

And then there is the issue of sleeping arrangements. My son will be spending the night in his pack n' play. Whether he sleeps in it or not is another issue. I have been trying to get him to nap in it, but to no avail. Here is how I found him today after his TEN MINUTE nap in his pack.

Ugh.

*Deep breath, Nicole.*

And then there's the flight ... how will my son do with the change in air pressure? The massive amounts of new people? Not getting to play on the floor?

*Deep breath, Nicole.*

I keep having to remind myself that he is an awesome kid and will do just fine. He will be just fine.

In fact, it will be fun. We are going to Florida! He gets to visit his first new state. It'll be his first time at the beach. And it'll be his first time swimming!! I get so excited about all the firsts ... which reminds me - I need to bring more batteries for my camera.

One more thing to add to the list.

Alright, back to packing and the NCAA tournament!

Best Bets: Health and Beauty Aids for Baby

I know, it sounds weird to health and beauty aids (HBA) for your baby, but he's just a small person. And I'm not talking about makeup ... what kind of parent do you think I am?!

Here's my list of favorites that help keep my boy looking and feeling his best.

Vaseline

A must have for any parent, especially in the winter months. I apply it every night to my son's cheeks to help them from getting chapped. All that slobber really does a number on his delicate skin. It's great for when you take the little one outside because it can help protect his skin from the wind. And, on a personal note, Vaseline is helpful when you are dealing with a newly circumsized penis in need of a little attention. Ouch!

Boudreaux's Baby Kisses

Baby chapstick. Again, great for the winter months when baby's skin can get really chapped and irritated. One morning my son woke up with a split lip from the winter dryness, and every night since I have slathered Baby Kisses on his lips ... it has helped immensely!

The First Years Arc Deluxe Nail Clippers

Great ergonomic nail clippers that come with a magnifying glass for clipping those tiny baby nails. Never a fun job, but these make it a little easier. For the really tough ones, or if your newborn still has his/her nails attached to the tips of his/her fingers, I recommend the Safety 1st nail clippers with the nail file attachment - also a good choice.

Arbonne Baby Care (ABC) Herbal Diaper Rash Cream

Awesome stuff! Our son doesn't get many diaper rashes, but when he does this seems to clear it up the quickest. It also has a really nice scent, an added bonus when you have to deal with really poopy diapers.

Method Baby Squeaky Green Body Lotion

It's a wonderful lotion for soothing baby's dry skin. My son loves getting little baby massages with this stuff. I don't know if it comes in different scents, but we have the "rice milk + mallow" scent and it is yummy smelling!

Gentle Naturals Cradle Cap Care

While it smells a little funky, it really does the trick when trying to eliminate pesky cradle cap on your little one. Combined with the use of a good cradle cap brush (more on that later), it took care of our son's cradle cap. Containing a couple different kinds of oils, it is a little easier to handle than just working olive oil into your baby's scalp (though you can do that, too).

Arbonne Baby Care Hair and Body Wash

It smells great and can counteract the over-powering smell of the Cradle Cap Care mentioned above. Also, it is a tear-free formula ... a must for bathtime with baby!

First Years American Red Cross All-In-One Bathing Brush

This handy little brush did a great job on our son's cradle cap. Gentle enough to use on his soft spot, just rubbing the bristle side in circles (in tandem with the Crade Cap Care mentioned above) over his scalp helped eliminate cradle cap within a week or so.

Baby Q-Tips

No worries about sticking it too far into the baby's ear! With all the ear wax our little guy has, these have come in handy. Just a little twirl in his outer ear after bath time and it's clean as a whistle!

I hope these products help you as much as they've helped us! Anything you'd recommend?

Sun Babe

So as I mentioned in my previous post, we are taking a trip to Florida at the end of March. Hopefully the weather will be nice and warm, as I'm hoping to get my son into the pool for the first time. That said, I am concerned about sunscreen for him. We bought some yesterday at Ulta (Neutrogena Baby stuff ... looks promising), but I'm wondering where to put it on him. I know that sounds stupid, but think about it ... he doesn't know not to rub his eyes when it's on his hands, he sticks his hands and his feet in his mouth all the time, and should I put it on his scalp? He has really light hair and I would hate for his scalp to get burned, but I don't want the cradle cap to come back. (sigh) So much to think about.

Not to mention trying to pack for him ... oy! I just want to dump all his drawers and his entire closet into a suitcase and call it good. How do you pack for someone so small when the weather could be so variable? And all the toys he plays with ... what about those? Not to mention we need to bring his pack-n-play, car seat, some form of a high chair, etc.

I'm planning on buying his diapers down there ... no need to schlep them all the way from Michigan. But I will probably bring swim diapers with us in case they are tough to come by where we are staying.

Oh, and does anyone know of any baby lip balm that has sunscreen in it? We currently use one that doesn't have SPF but I'd like to find one if possible.