Good Reads

When I first got pregnant, I felt pretty clueless. You know how you look forward to getting pregnant for so long? Then when you do, you realize, oh  my goodness! Now what? In those brief moments of panic that lasted for 9 months, I found some solace in a few great books.

1. What to Expect When You're Expecting : For everything from morning sickness, to timelines, to baby development, to absurd cravings, this book is a must-have, go-to book for the pregnant mama. I'm pretty sure I went out to Walmart and bought this book as soon as I had taken my second (or was it third) positive pregnancy test - in two days. 

2. So That's What They're For! : I got this from my breastfeeding preparation class at the hospital. If you are preggers and plan to breastfeed, or even if you're just not sure and want to really know the ins and outs, read this! I suggest reading it before you start breastfeeding, if possible. It will really prepare you for what is inevitably going to come your way. The author has a great way of writing in a clear, fun, and helpful manner.  Charlotte is now 10 months old and I still refer to this book for some helpful tips (weaning, solids, schedules).

3. The Happiest Baby on the Block : I actually didn't ever finish reading this book, but the parts that I did read were very enlightening to me. This book had some great info about broad topics as well as interesting research and methods for specific things like how to sooth your infant. I felt a little more prepared and educated after reading through many sections of this book. One day, maybe I'll even finish it!

Charlotte's Got Great Taste

Let me preface this by saying, I'm sorry. I'm well aware that I'm pretty pathetic for even noticing these things...

While indulging in my guilty pleasure the other night (watching Desperate Housewives - thank you DVR), I saw two things that made me all giddy inside. One of the housewives, Lynette has a little baby girl, Paige who just happens to have the same taste as my little Charlotte! I first noticed that the jammies Paige wore in one scene are the same cute little things that Charlotte wore earlier this week. Ahhhh! Then her pack n' play in another scene was the same one that Charlotte has and that I even blogged about. Score! So basically, Charlotte is FAMOUS!  *giggle, giggle*

But I must say, it was kind of fun to see Charlotte's things on the "big screen!" I'm so used to seeing high-end designer baby items on TV shows that would make me a bit queasy if I ever saw the price tag. It was kind of refreshing (and fun!) to see "real people" stuff on my silly show.
Have you ever seen your kid's items in "famous" places?

It's here! It's really, really here!

Charlotte's shopping cart cover is here! After a rough couple of weeks, Nani was able to finally conquer all obstacles and complete this totally adorable project. When Nani dropped off the seat cover this morning, I had this overwhelming sense that there just must be something that we needed at the grocery store. Well... I guess Charlotte and I will just have to muster up the strength for a quick trip. Hey, while we're at it, we'll take her seat cover for a whirl. How convenient  ;)

It's pretty funny that something like this can make my day, but then again, how could cute monkeys and colorful swirls on fabric not make my day? The fact that I didn't have to lug around Charlotte's car seat and watch her strain her neck, trying to look around at the produce was enough to put a little spring in my step. Charlotte loved being able to look all around at the brightly colored packaging, the signs that we passed by (and that she almost knocked over), and even to play with the credit card reader in the checkout lane. So not only did I get the kidney beans for our chili dinner tonight, but Charlotte got to see the world from a whole new perspective -- okay, maybe not the world, but at least a little part of it.

It's the little things...

The Goods

It only took me a couple minutes to learn that it's helpful to have some key items in your arsenal when you are making and storing baby food.When I first started, I was kind of lost. How was I supposed to get these solid foods to be mushy? How was I supposed to store the mush once it was mushy? How do I feed the mush to the baby? How do I stop the never-ending flow of dirty dishes in the kitchen? Ok, so this last one I can't help you with. But the others? I can at least tell you what works for me.

Charlotte's first food was sweet potato. I looked it up on my fave baby food site, read about the nutrition, the timeline, and the preparation suggestions. I was ready to rock and roll. My first attempt at pureeing the sweet taters was kind of a lumpy, orange mess, but I figured this was the norm. I used my mini food processor and whirred the stuff up, but never really got the smooth consistency I was hoping for. I had gone out that day to buy some pretty nifty covered ice cube trays at Bed Bath and Beyond that I read about on the baby food site, and spooned the lump-mush into the trays. I froze it for the night then put the frozen cubes into a labeled quart size, ziploc freezer bag, then back into the freezer. Voila! My first attempt at baby food-making was surprisingly close to a success.

The next week, I decided to make some peas. This time, I used the Magic Bullet that my mom gave me. Who would have thought that this would end up being my favorite puree'er? It's quick to set up, easy to store, simple to clean, and it purees perfectly! This is now my go-to for everything from peaches, to peas. From barley to green beans.

A Magic Bullet, covered ice cube trays, and some freezer bags -- my life is complete.

The Joy of Cooking (for an infant)

I don't know about anyone else, but just the thought of starting my little girl on solids was enough to give me some serious agida. I had just started getting quite comfortable (and spoiled) with Charlotte's nursing habits. She would only nurse a handful of times a day for just about 15 or 20 minutes. Ahhhh... Heavenly. Then I came to the harsh realization that this little being needed more than just milk to survive. Darn. So I did the only thing I could think to do at a time like this - I called my sister-in-law.

After talking and laughing, I understood that (seriously, Christie) this was not the end of the world. Through our chat, I was pointed to my go-to source, a great site called www.wholesomebabyfood.com. I love it because you can navigate by stage, by food types, by topic... For the past 2 months, I have gone to this site for guidance and comfort along this seemingly scary path of solids. And I must say, once you get your feet wet, it's not worth all the anxiety.

I think my next few posts will be all about this new world of "food stuff." We've been having so much fun with it and I feel like if others out there feel as clueless as I did (and at times, still do), it might help to hear what other moms are doing. For now, I'm going to go and change yet another poopy diaper - because as many of you know... with solid foods come solid poops. The joys of motherhood.

Reality Check

Seriously! She's only 7 months old and I'm already in denial (apparently) about how big she's getting. A couple times a week, I'll look at one of the adorable outfits in Charlotte's closet and think, "Nah, not yet. This is too big for my little munchkin. Maybe soon, but for now, she can wear this again." Then one day, I'll be feeling brave and I'll decide -- it's time! And we'll put on the outfit that I've been holding off on for a month and she's only got a few days left of fitting in it! Now this, my friends, is why you will see Charlotte go through phases when she wears the same outfit every other day for 2 weeks. It's because that outfit is one I thought was "too big" for far too long that I missed the window! Meanwhile, Charlotte is just growing, growing, growing and I'm just sitting here, hoarding her clothes.

Isn't she still my little 7 pound snuggle bug? No?! Since when??

Fuzz, Feathers, and Fins

One of the most satisfying moments for me these days is when I find things that Charlotte really enjoys and connects with. Nowadays, it's a little easier to engage her, but a couple months ago it could be tricky to really get a rise out of this little person who only seemed to care about food and sleep.

So one day when Charlotte was about 3 months old, Hubby (the creative thinker that he is) had the idea to take her to the pet store after church. We didn't know if Charlotte would really give a rip, but figured it could be fun to try it out. Justin and I are both animal-lovers, so we figured we'd trick her into becoming one, too.

When we went in, we headed straight for the hamsters and gerbils. Charlotte was sucked in right away. She leaned in towards the glass and just stared. It was so neat to see the little gears in her head turning as she saw the little guys running in their wheels scampering all around. Next stop was the parakeets. These were a HUGE hit. They were noisy, colorful, and a bit on the hyper-active side (aka: awesome). Our last stop was the fish. They may not be quite as fuzzy or vocal, but lemme tell ya... they still grab the attention of a curious infant.

So our trip was a success. And we learned there's nothin' like a free trip to the "local zoo."

The day is coming!

One thing I have come to realize in these past 6 months is that car seats are not quite as user-friendly as I once thought. I always envisioned being able to swing that thing all around, baby in tow. I thought it snapped right into place during every grocery shopping excursion as I leisurely pushed my baby-filled cart 'round and 'round. But like most things, it wasn't quite as I expected.

The first time we took the little girl out was to the grocery store. Hubby and I were all giddy, half-excited/half-petrified, but we really wanted to go get some grub. When we went to put Charlotte's car seat into the cart, we realized that it was not quite as easy as we thought. The angle was all off. The only way to really *snap* the seat into place was by leaning Charlotte's seat almost completely horizontal. Hmph. I figured that it must be this way because the grocery store had the old-school, metal carts... things would be different when we went to Target someday.

So here we go to Target... shopping for who knows what (but I'm sure it was absolutely necessary). I was pretty excited to try out these new, space-age red plastic carts that Target has. I figured since this was a new style, it must have car seats in mind. Turns out that these carts were far worse than the grocery carts. If anyone has tried clipping their car seat into these beasts, you probably know just what I mean. The plastic bends away and there is no hope of clipping anything into place here. A couple times, we even decided it would be better just to put Charlotte's car seat in the main section of the cart. After all, we're just the parents, why would we need any more space than what you get in the upper section? Have you seen the upper section of carts? Plenty of room for all my shopping needs. Ha.

However, do you have some crafting you need to do? Head over to A.C. Moore. Their carts are a DREAM! The car seat fits right in, snaps into place, and Charlotte isn't staring up at the ceiling for her whole ride. I have no idea why A.C. Moore's carts are so wonderful, but I know one thing... they have my vote for "Best Cart for Baby."

But there is a light at the end of this car seat trouble tunnel. Charlotte is just starting to sit up which means no more lugging the car seat into to the store each trip. Soon she'll get to sit in her homemade (by Nani) shopping cart cover. It's going to be a whole new world...

Good thing I'm cheap!

Before Charlotte came along, I was not the "neatest" person, by any means, but I did always try to take good care of the things I had. For instance, our sofas. Both are hand-me-downs that have been around for many, many years. Even though they were old and beat up, I liked to keep them "nice." Our main couch almost got to the point of no return last fall. The rips in the cushions started to become obscene. We ran out of decent blankets to try to cover up the tears in the fabric. I started considering buying new sofas because I finally had a good excuse... we had a new house AND they were disintegrating right before our eyes. Luckily some wise moms steered me in a much more logical direction. Basically they said, "NO! Don't do it!"

See, what these moms knew that I didn't was that it doesn't matter how much you care about your sofa. It doesn't matter if it has rips and tears or in pristine condition. It doesn't matter if it is brand new or older than time itself. Nope. Spit up explosions stop for no one.

Today is yet another day that I am grateful for my pretty, green slipcover that perfectly camouflages the splitting cushions, easily comes off to be washed every time spit up goes streaming down my leg, and was much less expensive than those sectionals I was eyeing up in the newspaper inserts. Plus, we all know that worn-in sofas are so much cozier, and who has time to break in a new sofa when you have a baby who's begging to be burped?

Things I'm learning as a new mom:

• You can never take too many pictures


• If there is anything you hope to get accomplished for the day, do it first thing in the morning, or it ain't happ'nin


• Sleep is precious (why did I not know this before?)


• A bowl of cereal does consistute a full meal


• 9:30 pm is a perfectly acceptable dinner time


• Short nails may not be as pretty, but they are much easier to dig the Desitin out from under


• WD-40 is my best friend


• Makeup is totally optional


• You never need an excuse to put a cute, frilly dress on your baby girl


• Your mouth can make for a great 3rd hand when your other two are full


• There is nothing quite as perfect as just staying home with your family on a Friday night (and maybe also Saturday night, Sunday night, Monday night - ok, I guess I should go out sometimes too)


• As soon as you think you're on schedule for the day, your baby will decide that she has much different plans for you ;)

What a wonderful thing

If you're a mom, you've probably been asked this question a time or two: "What's your can't-live-without-it baby item?" Well, I've been asked this before, and because I'm so terrible at choosing just one thing, I've probably said different things at different times to different people. But as the days and (oh my!) months go by, I think I have decided on something - at least until I need to change my mind. But my must-have is Charlotte's simple little bouncer seat. This little thing has been a staple in our lives ever since Charlotte first arrived.

Why do I love it so? Let me count the ways...

1. It's cute! You've gotta love the look of your baby stuff, am I right?
2. It was just as useful when Charlotte was 4 days old as it is at 4 months old.
3. It allowed mommy to take showers (yay!) in the early days of motherhood. Charlotte would sit in her bouncer right outside the shower and usually fall asleep to the lull of the running water.
4. There is a removable toy bar which at first seemed like a waste because the toys swung towards her face and made her cry for the first 3 months, but now she gets a good 20 minutes of entertainment from them!
5. There is a vibration setting on the bouncer which used to put her right to sleep and keep her cozy. I don't really ever remember to use it nowadays, but "back then" it was quite handy.
6. It's lightweight and portable. I can carry it, with Charlotte sitting in it, to wherever I want to plunk her down to be with me. Doing laundry, washing dishes, making the bed...
7. The cover is easy to remove, wash, and put back together... and yes, I have had to do it quite a few times!
8. It's reasonably priced, especially when you buy it with a 20% off baby gear coupon at Babies R Us, and also when I consider how much I've used it.

So there is my must-have of the day. If you're a new mom or a not-quite-yet mom and you don't have one, maybe getting one will brighten your day too :) For the moms out there, what's your must-have?

There was a time...

There was a time when I really felt like I was best defined as (nothing more) than "a breastfeeding mother." It's true. For the first couple of months, I felt like that is all I did, that was all I was good for, and that was most likely all I would do for the rest of my life. It's funny how that time seemed never-ending in the midst of it all, but now that I have made it through the rough stuff, I can look back and say, "now that wasn't so hard, was it?" But trust me, it was not so easy to see the forest through the trees for quite some time there.

Now don't get me wrong. I didn't hate it or have a bad attitude towards nursing my little girl, but geez louise... I had some rough times. Let's see...
-First of all, I think all I did for the first 3 months was nurse, burp, then prepare to nurse again. Charlotte was eating almost every 2 hours throughout the day up until just about a week ago.
-I have been labeled by my lactation consultant as an "over-producer." This means I've gotten to live through such joyous moments as waking up most mornings with rock-hard boulders attached to my chest, and still, to this day, going through boxes upon boxes upon boxes of nursing pads since I rarely survive even one minute without them.
-I also got Mastitis (breast infection) 3 times in 3 months. Lovely.
-I have a baby who is a "stop-and-smell-the-roses" type of eater. It was not uncommon for her to take about 45 minutes to nurse as she just chilled out and enjoyed life while savoring every drop of milk.

So why am I telling you all of this? Because I am now on the other side of it all. And you know what? It is, and was, worth every second. Now Charlotte has started to go about 3-4 hours between feedings (hallelujah); she is a little more efficient with her eating process; I still blow through a gazillion nursing pads, but I have gotten to test drive tons of brands and I've finally found my fave (Johnson's); and well... I haven't quite figured out this Mastitis thing, but I've survived all 3 infections, so that's got to count for something.

I remember reading about nursing moms in my (many) books that said there was a beautiful bond that developed between them with their baby when they nursed. These moms loved the time they had when they would just stare into their baby's eyes as they fed them. Initially, I thought these ladies were a little on the crazy side. I believed in the benefits of breastfeeding just as much as the next mom, but that seemed a little far-fetched, and maybe even slightly ridiculous. But I have to admit - I'm now one of "them." I enjoy the time that I get with my little girl when I feed her. I truly cherish the bond that we have and the way that she looks up at me and smiles right in the middle of nursing.

I no longer feel burdened by this job I have. It's no longer what defines me, but it sure is a part of who I am. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Sleep tight...

One of the things I stressed about the most when I was registering for baby items before Charlotte was born was choosing what she would sleep in for those first few weeks (before going into her own crib). I ended up emailing lots of moms I knew to ask them their opinions. I'm so happy that I talked through the decision with them, because in the end, I think we ended up with a perfect solution.

For the first 2 months of her life, Charlotte slept in our bedroom, right next to our bed in this. I thought is was a great option for us for so many reasons. Here are the highlights:

-It's small enough to be not-too-annoying to look at each day and night
-It's high enough off of the ground to not give me a back ache each time I lifted her in and out in the middle of the night
-AND it's so easy to break down and set up which (so far) has come in handy for two out-of-town trips we've taken. Once was at a hotel -- perfect solution! It fit right in between the two queen beds.

So all in all, I'm so glad for the recommendations and warnings from friends. This was a great choice for us... maybe it will be good for some of you who are looking for ideas as you prepare for your little one.

What's a girl to do?

The other day I found myself in quite a pickle. I had so many decisions and choices before me and I didn't know where to start.

I'll set the scene: It was mid-afternoon, sunny, about 80-some degrees (hot). Charlotte and I went out grocery shopping together and she as in her car seat, in the top of the cart. We had a cart full of bags, and we were heading out to the car to pack up our goodies and head home (hoping the ice cream would make it the next couple of miles). Now came decision time... We rolled up to the car, I unlocked it. Then I just stood there. What do I do first? It's hot. If I put her in the car first, she'll roast. If I pack the groceries up first, I take the risk of "runaway cart scenario" which is never cool. Especially with a baby in the cart. I considered starting the car up so it could cool down a bit, then load her in, but all that went through my mind was that I'd most likely somehow manage to lock my keys in the car (I have a reputation... another post, another day). So I did what any wise, seasoned mother would do. I stood there. I think I even giggled a little bit.

After thinking through my options, I just said heck with it! I started loading up the car, kept Charlotte in her seat, and kept my foot precariously on the bottom rung of the shopping cart. All went well, groceries got loaded, and there were no runaway carts. Triumph!

...but then something happened that I just didn't see coming. Once I have the baby and the groceries loaded, I still have a cart sitting there. I am NOT the type to leave my cart in the middle of the parking lot, but a girl has GOT to have limits. I guiltily pushed my cart just out of the way of my car and drove away. I guess you can't win 'em all...

My Morning Boost

Have you ever had one of those days where you just feel down? Where you wish that someone looked at you like you were the greatest thing on the planet? I have discovered the cure - a 3 month old baby!

I was just talking with my friend the other day about how it's been almost a whole YEAR since I had a cup of "real" coffee. A year! When I found out I was pregnant, I decided to just cut out caffeine as much as possible. Waking up each morning with no hot cup o' joe can be quite damaging to a person. But I have found something even better (and almost as creamy). Every morning lately, I go to peek into Charlotte's crib and when we make eye contact, it's like a bolt of love/excitement/anticipation lightning strikes her. All the sudden, her legs shoot straight out, her arms start pumping, and her smile... oh man, that cute little gummy smile! Then she lets out the most excited baby shrieks, saying "good morning" to the world.

So what's a morning without coffee when you can start your day with that kind of lovin'?

So I've realized that the house becomes so much creakier and noisier when you have a sleeping baby inside your four walls. Funny how that happens. Sometimes it feels like the world is out to get you and your baby's nap time, doesn't it?

When Charlotte first came along, I thought that we had the soundest sleeping baby on earth. She could sleep through my husband's power tools in the basement, the vacuum cleaner cruising right past her pack n' play, and even the noisy beagle howling at a leaf blowing across the street. But as all new moms realize, that peaceful sleeping stage inevitably comes to an end. Now Charlotte is very curious about noises around her and very in tune to my comings and goings. Luckily, I'm catching on to the creaks in the floor, the screen door that shuts too quickly if you don't catch it in time, the dog who will stand on the back of the couch and drop her heavy chewing stick onto the hardwood floor when all is peaceful and quiet. That's when "Super Mom" mode clicks in!

I've now automatically started tiptoeing around the creaky spots on the floor. One friend even suggested duct taping those spots so I don't forget. How about caution tape? That will get my attention. I take away the puppy's loudest squeakers and heaviest sticks (when she's not looking, of course). And I (try) to make sure that I have all that I need for nap time around me so I don't have to make too much of a racket while the sweet baby sleeps.

My super power may not seem so spectacular to you, but when you make it through a day of naps with no accidental awakenings, you may just start feeling like a super hero too!

To those who haven't yet made the same mistake

I'll start by admitting: yes, this is vain and this is superficial and shallow. But I still think it and I will forgive you if you judge me. See this picture to the right? This is me a day after our little girl came into the world. I'm over-joyed, in love, grateful, and in awe of what has gone on in the past 24 hours. But what else am I? I'm clearly not thinking ahead to the ramifications my choices will have on Charlotte's baby album...

The one thing I had going for me at this time in the hospital was that I took a shower that morning... big feat for a postpartum mama. However, everything else about my outer appearance is just a bit, well, embarrassing. As you can see in the background, we had visitors. And we had other visitors other days... and lots of pictures... lots of pictures to look back on for the rest of our lives. And what will I see each time I look at these photos? That darn ROBE! That darn, wide-open-in-the-back, hospital-issued, completely unflattering robe (and I won't even go into the details of the postpartum undergarments you can see through the open back). The most painful fact to face is that I had other clothes in my bag! Lots of clothes. But I chose to wear the robe, not even a soft, cute hoodie. No... the robe.

Now don't get me wrong, I look back at these pictures of those first couple days of Charlotte's life often, just to relive the pure joy. But ladies - you understand my pain, right? So if you haven't finished packing your hospital bag, be sure to keep my story fresh in your mind. But remember, the hard part is getting yourself to actually put something else on. If you struggle with finding the motivation, just envision what you want to see yourself wearing for generations to come.

live and learn... in the meantime, dwell on the things you can never change ;)

To be a mom...

I must admit, I've been quite spoiled. My little girl has been sleeping through the night for over a month now. Waking up in the middle of the night is a foreign idea to me these days (and I don't seem to miss it too much, either). The other night, however, I DID have to wake up in the middle of the night. 4:00 AM to be exact. But it wasn't because of a crying baby, it was because of my crazy, over-producing milk factory. I had to drag myself out of bed, go downstairs, wash the pump, and pump the heck out of them. Although I was pretty darn tired and wished I was still sleeping, I quickly lapsed into "proud mommy world." When I went downstairs, I got to check on the little puppy in her crate. She was just fine, all curled up in her blankets. I went back upstairs, peeked into Charlotte's room and spied on her sleeping soundly. I listened to her rhythmic breathing and just smiled. Then I went into our bedroom where my husband was sound asleep. At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of love, adoration, and pride. My family was all together, all sleeping, and the world was just "right."

So to all you moms out there... make sure to go to bed early tonight. You never know when you'll wake up in the middle of the night and be able to admire and adore your family in their peaceful sleep.

"Cherish tender moments when you are so in awe and in love with your baby. Commit them to memory. You will need to remember it when she is a teenager." -wise words from a friend

I've been duped!

Before we had our little girl, I made a commitment to myself and to Charlotte to breastfeed her for at least 9 months (after all, I survived 9 months of pregnancy, I figured that was fair enough). To pump myself up for whatever would lie ahead in the world of breastfeeding, I read book after book about the benefits and joys that breastfeeding brings. One of the key benefits that I honed in on was that breastfed babies have "sweet smelling" poo's! Wow. I knew that I could do this if I could be spared from some of the nasty diapers I've smelled wafting out of nurseries before. I dreamed of Charlotte's dirty diapers smelling like fresh cut flowers. How lovely that would be, right?

But I was fooled! No rosey smelling diapers are coming from THIS house, that's for sure. I guess either we've got issues over here, or the authors of these books have a much different definition of "sweet"...

So there's a little heads-up for anyone who may be thinking of nursing for the first time. But I must say -- stinky diapers and all, it is still absolutely worth it.

When it gets a little messy...

When I was registering for things before Charlotte was born, I basically had no clue what I was doing. I took that little hand-held scanner and went to town! My mom and I cruised through the aisles and most times spent hours, only to realize at the end that I only registered for WHAT? 6 items, that's it? Phew. It was tough going, but we somehow made it through. One of the items I struggled with knowing what to get was burp cloths. Of all things... I know! But I went back and forth between just wanting to get all the cutesy, flowery ones and the ones that were the work horses. Seems like your favorite burp cloths (like so many other things) won't be realized until you really put them to use. Amidst my pile of various burp cloths, two have emerged as my personal faves:

1. Cloth diapers: My sister-in-law had recommended these to me. She said, yes, believe it or not, they are the most absorbent and best for catching the spit up that will inevitably make an appearance. So I listened to her and got some. She was right! They're great. They are soft against baby's sensitive skin, they are absorbent, and they are so multi-purpose. I use them as burp cloths, bibs, and "shields" to protect things like her swing and bouncer seat.

2. Flannel Burp Cloths: These were just a lucky find. I picked them out because they were cute (they come in girly, boyish, and neutral patterns), but then I stuck with them because they are thin, yet absorbent. They aren't the best for the massive explosions, but they are excellent for little burps and wiping off baby's dribbles... plus, they look pretty darn cute tossed over your shoulder!

All the big-bellied babies please stand up

There's no denying the fact that our little girl is "well-fed." She's got the cheeks (and chins) to prove it. Although we are convinced that the chub just keeps making her cuter and cuter, it does make diapering a little more challenging. We've tried a variety of brands from store brands to Luvs to Pampers and Huggies. Our favorites --in the world of disposables-- are Huggies, hands down.

I've noticed that when you have to factor in some adorably meaty thighs and a big belly to boot, the Huggies just seem to hold up above the others. When I've try to squeeze her into Pampers or Luvs, they end up turning into low-rise diapers, being pushed down by the belly. Although this may be the style for her when she wears boot cut jeans later in her life, its not so attractive now. Low-rising diapers make for a not-so-satisfied mama. Of course, I've never found a diaper that is free of any flaw I could complain about, Huggies are the best for my little Buddha belly baby doll. Maybe you'll find they work for you too! Or you'll find your own tried and true to help you sleep peacefully tonight...

Baby Poop stains got you down? There's hope!

Maybe you already know these tips for rescuing baby poop-stained clothes... but to me? It's a miracle! I'm sure you have experienced the deep sadness that comes over you when your sweet little baby somehow manages to poop her way right out of her diaper onto the cutest (and brand new) little outfit you just pulled out of the dryer for her to wear for the first time. This has happened to me multiple times and I thought that I was just going to have to buy her some cute cardigans to mask the stains. But then... there was a ray of hope.

Here's what we do. Whether it's a fresh stain or dried (because you're like me and you've balled up the stained onesie and thrown it aside until morning), spray some stain remover on and throw it in the washing machine, but make sure the water is cold. Then skip the dryer. Think of it like this: the heat of the dryer or the hot water in the washer will -in a sense- "bake" the stain into the fabric... that's NOT what we want. Instead, hang the cute little outfit outside on a sunny day, stain side up. After the sun is down, voila! Most likely, the sun will have naturally bleached the stain right out.

I hope this works for you as well as it has for me. We've rescued about a dozen outfits that I swore were done for. Good luck, and happy sunning!

A new way to walk... and shop!

I don't know about you, but for me, I couldn't wait to get the "okay" from my doctor to begin some light exercise again after I had my little girl. In a way, 6 weeks felt like a lifetime (but secretly, I took advantage of the best excuse I've ever had to not move off the couch, let alone attempt a power walk!). Once I did start walking, it was nice to have some options. My favorite walking option (alternative to the obvious -- stroller) has been my Snugli. This is a front baby carrier that you can find all over the internet.

I've used it for walks -- it adds extra weight for a fun and productive workout.


I've used it at the grocery store -- you can be hands-free and you never have to worry about keeping your eye on your baby... she's attached!


I've used it in the yard -- just walk around and give your arms and back a break!

Benefits:

• Machine Washable (a MUST for new mamas)
• Lightweight
• Pretty easy to get on/off
• Good for daddy too :)
• Excellent at getting out some of those stubborn burps
• If you're crazy like me and have a puppy, you will have a hand free to hold puppy's leash, which is much easier than trying to juggle the stroller AND leash all at once

And it begins...

I am now, officially, the mother of a 2 1/2 month old. She is beautiful, perfect, and a joy to me and hubby each day. But as I'm quickly learning, each day brings with it a new adventure and often times, lots of questions.

Being a new momma means learning what works (and what doesn't) usually by trial and error. It means navigating the world of mommyhood with no licence and no manual. It means filtering out the good, the bad and the ugly in everything from toys to clothes, baby gear (and yes, I now know what that term means) to diapers and wipes. Call me crazy, but I think this adventure is a BLAST!

Most days, I discover new things about being a mom that I want to share with others who are going through this season of life. So here is my attempt at sharing the stories of the new world I see through rose-colored glasses.