Baby Must-Haves Part Deux

In my last post I discussed the super sweet swaddler that makes our bedtime routine easy-peasy. As awesome as the swaddler is, it isn't the only thing we use to make bedy-bye time so effortless. Next up is an item we didn't register for.

Homedics Sound Spa Lullaby

This little puppy was a very welcome gift. Right now Little Man sleeps in his Pack N Play right next to my bed. The first night we brought him home he fought sleep a little bit. Beau and I decided that the fight was because the nursery was always bright and a little noisy. (He spent the first three nights of his life in the nursery on an IV.) Neither Beau nor myself were quite willing to give up the few hours of sleep we had in our future because Little Man needed lights blazing. Call me selfish, but I just wasn't going to allow him to get used to lights being on if he was going to be sleeping in our room.

I remembered that I had set up the Sound Spa in the nursery, so I relocated it to the nightstand. The light, which is a little projection light that projects moving images up on the ceiling, was just bright enough to give Little Man comfort. (And it is just bright enough for me to see Little Man sleeping when I wake up in a cold sweat worrying that he might not be breathing... yes, I still do this almost nightly.)

The Sound part of the Sound Spa plays six different sounds. I'm not really sure what they are because Brahms' Lullaby (I think that's what it is...) is all we need. Sure, it gets stuck in my head, but that's a small price to pay. It is also a little less creepy than the heartbeat that is one of the five other options.

There is a timer feature on the device, but I don't use it. As I said, the light is bright enough to be convenient for checking on Little Man, so I let it go all night. The down side to that is that the constant use has worn out some piece inside that moves the projection disk; the nightlight no longer projects a moving image, just a static one. There is a warranty on the product, but because it was a gift I don't have the receipt. I'll still try calling the company, but my hopes aren't up. Fortunately Little Man hasn't complained about being bored of the image, so we're fine for now.

While we're on the topic of technology...

Total Baby App

Yep, that's right, there's an app for that...

The Total Baby App keeps track of all kinds of useful baby related information. At $4.99, it is the most expensive app I've ever purchased (I'm cheap, what can I say...), but I use it DAILY and am so, so glad I got it. Here's a screenshot that shows some of the features.

To be perfectly honest, I don't use this app to its full capacity. However, I do use it for that second image, feedings. As mentioned here, breastfeeding is tough and one way to make sure I was doing it right (i.e. not too frequently or infrequently) was to use the feeding timer. This feature allows me to keep track of which breast was last used, how long Little Man has fed on each side, how long in total for the day, how long since the last feeding, etc. It also can graph feedings throughout the week, so I can see when Little Man is feeding most often and gage if we are getting on a schedule or not. (We are!)

This was very helpful when we were going to the pediatrician often for weight checks because I knew exactly how often and for how long Little Man was eating. (I originally wrote "feeding", but that made it sound like he is a vampire, and I don't like that idea. Lord knows I'm already terrified of when he gets teeth...) Anyway, with the press of a button, the app will email the information to whomever you want to share it with. (Hi, Mom! Here's the daily dirty diaper email! Love you.)

You can also track diaper changes, naps, baths, and make up your own option for whatever you might need to time. Like I said, I don't use it to its full capacity. It looks as if the last diaper change was 51 days and three hours ago. That's not quite accurate--and makes for really boring daily emails to mom.

Despite the fact that I don't actually use all of the features on this app, I definitely love it. The feeding feature is plenty to make it well worth the $4.99. If you want to see it is all its glory, click on the link above. There is a super informative video of all it can do.

When I was pregnant I thought I'd totally be able to remember things like diaper changes and feedings and the like. I mean, it's not rocket science. It turns out that sleep deprivation makes simple tasks like remembering right side or left side seem a lot like rocket science. Or neurosurgery. It's a toss-up.

Moving on to less technological swag, item number seven is pretty dang cool.

B.O.B Revolution Stroller SE

The stroller was something that Beau picked out. Because he is a runner, we knew that a jogging stroller was a must. (It must me noted for full disclosure that I do not jog. Unless rabid dogs are chasing me. Then, and only then, will I jog.) There are a number of jogging strollers out there and I had no idea where to start shopping for one.

We (he) decided on the B.O.B Revolution SE. Though it is a smidge on the bulky side (25 pounds!), it  is a pretty smooth ride for our son. We got the car seat adapter for the Chicco car seat we bought, and we were able to use the B.O.B. right away. He sleeps like a champ in it and he and I take many, many trips to the library, voyaging through the neighborhood, etc. (Again, just to be clear, this is done at a nice, leisurely pace, not a jog.)

(Image from www.REI.com)


Because of the bulk of this stroller, it isn't our every day stroller. (I don't need a jogging stroller to go to the grocery store...) For now, while he's small enough to be in the car seat, we use the Chicco Snap and Go. I have little experience with judging strollers and the B.O.B. and the Snap and Go aren't in the same universe, let alone neighborhood, but I can tell you that the B.O.B. is smooth and seems like a much nicer ride for Little Man. I do kind of expect that, since it is slightly more expensive than the Snap and Go. ("Slightly" might just be an example of hyperbole. In case you didn't catch that.)

There is quite a market for strollers out there, and my neighborhood seems to have two front runners when it comes to joggers: B.O.B. and Phil and Ted (why do they both have man names???). In talking to experts (friends and family with multiple children), B.O.B. just seemed like a wise investment for us. I can't speak to the Phil and Ted crowd but I can say I think it is way cool to stash a second kid under the top kid. (Seriously, check out the Phil and Ted.) Since we only have one kiddo to worry about, we went with the B.O.B.  It is also easier to spell.

Three more products to go. What are you hoping to see on my list?

Baby Must Haves

Registering for Little Man was a little bit overwhelming. I had no idea what we'd really need, what would work, what would be superfluous and what we couldn't live without. We did the best we could with the limited knowledge we had from word of mouth and research.

After two months of trial and error, here is a roundup of ten things that have made this stage of parenting a little easier: (OK, well here are four of the ten. More to come tomorrow; writing lengthy pieces with an infant sounds much easier than it is.)

Maya Sling

I posted a picture of me baking cookies in the Maya Ring Sling sling here. I have scary eyes, but Little Man is so cozy and comfortable. And, excitingly, I have two hands to get stuff done around the house.

Swings and bouncers are great, but often Little Man just wants to be held. While I would gladly hold him every second of every day, there is laundry to get done and dishes to wash (among myriad other chores that don't just do themselves).

In the photo the rings are lower than they should be; I fixed it when I started cooking. I loved that the wrap comes with a DVD that instructs wearers on details like where the rings should be positioned and how to safely and comfortably use the sling. There are quite a few "holds" that make the wrap something parents can use beyond the infant stage. those are also demonstrated in the DVD.

Baby wearing is an ancient tradition that I absolutely love. Baby feels safe and secure, and I can easily monitor baby and quickly comfort him. The biggest benefit: I find it is much harder for strangers to touch the baby when he's in the wrap than when in his car seat. It is amazing how many people want to touch a newborn. These are often the same people who want to rub pregnant bellies! Avoid them at all costs.

Stork Craft Hoop Glider and Ottoman


A gift from my parents, this chair gets lots of use! It resides in our cute sun porch and is a nice, sunny place to pass the time breastfeeding.

I once wrote about a super-duper desirable glider type chair here, and while I still think that particular chair is the bees knees, This glider from Amazon is close to 10% of the cost. (I kid you not!) My mom, being the super careful consumer, read all of the reviews on Amazon. She noticed a common complaint: there just wasn't adequate bum padding. Rather than dropping an extra grand or so on the butter chairs wrapped in clouds (I think I have a future in advertising, no?) mom simply knitted me a new cushion for the Stork Craft.

Voila! Comfy, practical, and loved--with a homemade touch that makes it that much more special! (And no need to take out a second mortgage on the house for a chair.)

Balboa Baby

I feel like everyone alive knows how wonderful a Boppy nursing pillow is. During my marathon labor, my mom used it like an over sized neck pillow while trying to nap and decided she might want one of her own! Mine  resides on the sun porch where I use it in my glider (for its intended purpose, not as a neck pillow...). However, I only use it in my glider where the chair arms prop it up high enough to support Little Man.

My super sweet neighbor Ayme introduced me to the Balboa Baby nursing pillow. She claimed it is the best, and frankly, I'm inclined to agree. I like it over the Boppy because it is a firmer pillow. I find that Little Man sinks into the Boppy and I end up slouching. A little slouch wouldn't be terrible except that I  generally spend five hours or more a day feeding my little guy. Bad posture times five hours is an invitation for a backache.

Notice there is little slouching going on. Notice, too, that it is impossible to breastfeed through a shirt...

I also like the prints for the pillows more than the Boppy covers. (I'm sure, though, that one can find equally stylish covers on Etsy.) The one in the picture above, "swirl", is my favorite.

Halo Fleece Swaddler


I can't even begin to explain how much I love the Halo Fleece Swaddler. Little Man is a bit of an escape artist and is a very, very busy guy. He has been able to escape from every blanket and swaddler out there--with the exception of the Halo. I fully credit this contraption with my baby's good sleeping habits. Baby's good sleep habits= restful nights for parents! You see why I love this thing so much?

Two nights ago Little Man slept for eight hours. And that's not abnormal. At two weeks old he was sleeping for five hours. But only on the nights he was in the Halo. Needless to say, it is now the only swaddle blanket I use at night.

A few nights ago we had a little sleep over at my parents' house because we had a funeral to go to the next morning and I really wasn't sure I'd be able to get up, feed the kiddo, shower and dress, and drive the hour plus drive and make it on time. So, we had a slumber party. My mom was absolutely amazed by our bed time routine: bathe, eat, swaddle, crib. Even bright eyed when swaddled, Little Man quickly falls into a deep sleep with no effort on my part. I'm not sure if I am merely lucky to have an agreeable baby who loves a good night's sleep as much as I do or if the Halo is a gift from the Gods.

So, moms, what products were necessities for your little ones?

(All images--except the beautiful one of me wearing the cutest baby ever--come from the linked we bites.)

Because I am a huge fan of Amazon's ease and pricing (and have Amazon Prime with free shipping), I purchased almost all of my baby items from there. Here are links to the sling, glider, Balboa, and swaddler for your convenience!

Cookie Making for Milk Making

If you've done any research or reading on child rearing/ infant care, you probably know that almost every authority known to man agrees that breastfeeding is best for babies. Heck, even formula companies acknowledge this fact. Because it is best for Little Man, I am going to try my hardest to breastfeed him for a year.

(Image of Boobie Beanie from here.)

I know that there are many reasons that moms don't breastfeed, but I am fortunate enough to have not have run into those road blocks. (Knock on wood!)

That's not to say that the whole process has gone smoothly. Quite the opposite, in fact. I actually thought that I wouldn't make it the first month before throwing in the towel and resorting to formula. See, first it was difficult at the hospital because Little Man was kept in the nursery and put on an IV. At some point during the thirty-seven plus hours of labor I developed a fever. Because I was put on antibiotics, Little Man had to be put on them as well. For the first three days of his life he was getting all of the fluids he needed from a needle in his tiny little hand.

Though I diligently went to the nursery every 90 minutes or so, he just wasn't really latching or sucking. When he did latch he would fall asleep almost instantly and wouldn't suck. It was frustrating.

I'm not sure if it was my advanced age, my calm demeanor, or mistake, but I received very little help from the nurses and lactation consultants at the hospital. And because I was a first time mom who was a little naive about how the whole breastfeeding thing works, I didn't realize that the hospital should have talked to me about pumping my milk to ensure an adequate amount when Little Man was ready to eat.

Our discharge order from the hospital pediatrician was to see our pediatrician by Monday for a weight check because Little Man had been steadily losing weight. On Monday the scale let us know that he was still losing. Here I was encouraged to pump and supplement with a tiny syringe each and every time he ate. I was also told to return in two days.

Two days later we met with a different pediatrician (who ultimately became our primary pediatrician because she is AMAZING!). Even though it was lunch time and she probably wanted to scarf down a little something, she checked Little Man's suck, had him latch on, analyzed his latch and our positioning (while praising and encouraging), had him feed on both sides and then weighed him again. She did fancy doctor math and determined that he needed to be getting about 10 milliliters more per feeding in order to start gaining an ounce a day.

My marching orders were still to supplement my pumped breast milk with the syringe at each meal. I was frustrated beyond belief. As I saw it, this was my first failure as a mother. Heck, if I couldn't do what I was supposed to be biologically pre-programmed to do, how was I ever going to be successful as a mom? My body just didn't seem to want to make enough milk to feed my baby.

Little Man's doctor let me know that I was making enough to feed and hydrate him, just not quite enough to grow him. While I joke about keeping him small and reliant on me forever, it wasn't something I really wanted for him!

Adding to my frustration were conversations with friends who told me about their overproduction, their freezers full of milk, shooting streams across the room, etc. While all of these wonderful people were well-meaning, I continued to see myself as a failure.

The sweet doctor suggested fenugreek, Mother's Milk tea, and a beer a night. (Beau was jealous of that prescription, as well as super accommodating with it. Each night he'd hand me a beer and tell me to chug it down.)

While my milk increased, and the little guy started putting on weight, I still found myself wondering why I wasn't producing in abundance. I don't necessarily want to be sooting streams of milk across the room (how's that for a party trick?), I do want to be able to sit down a few hours after putting Little Man to bed and pump enough for a bottle for when we go out, when my mom babysits when I teach my night class at the college, etc.

I'm not having much success with that.

And so, tonight I baked some "Lactation Cookies" that are chock full of milk enhancing ingredients. And chocolate chips. Those seemed like a necessity.

While I have no idea if the cookies will work, I'm pretty excited to eat them. I'll report back on whether or not they do what they are supposed to do.

In the meantime, I wanted to share my recipe with you in case you have a moment where you feel the weight of abject failure, or know anyone who has feelings along those lines. If I'd have known that oatmeal chocolate chip cookies would, in theory, cure me, I'd have started eating them ages ago!

Bonus points if you wear the cutest baby ever when baking these.

Chocolate chip oatmeal lactation cookies--adapted from food.com

1 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
3 T. water (recipe calls for more, but three seemed enough)
2 T flax seed meal
2 eggs
1.5 t. vanilla
2 c. flour (I did even parts white and whole wheat)
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt (I omitted this because I used salted butter)
3 c. oats (don't use instant oats if you are trying to increase production)
1 c. chocolate chips (I don't actually measure these. I just dump 'em in until it looks like there are enough chips.
1.5 T. fenugreek (recipe calls for 2-4 T brewers years instead. I could't find any at The Fresh market, I started breaking open little fenugreek capsule instead...)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix flaxseed meal and water. Let sit for 2-5 minutes.

In a larger mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars well, then add eggs and continue to mix.

Add flaxseed/water mixture and vanilla, and continue beating.

Sift together flours, fenugreek (or brewer's yeast if available), baking soda, ad salt if desired, then add this mixture to the mixing bowl.

Stir in the oats and the chips, then scoop them onto cookie sheets and bake for 12 minutes.

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet, then sit back and enjoy the spoils of your labor.

Thoughts on Motherhood

Just over two months ago (two months and a day!) my entire world changed, and while I now all of a sudden feel like motherhood defines me, I don't want it to take over this blog. With that being said, I will most definitely have numerous posts on this new adventure I'm on. It is, after all, the most exciting thing in my life these days.

It is amazing to me that for twelve years I was a teacher first and foremost. It was the biggest part of my being. Then, on May 27th, my water broke and I began the final transformation from pregnant teacher to mother. It wasn't until Tuesday the 29th that Little Man joined us here in the world, but at 7:22 a.m., my identity changed completely. I did look at the clock when Little Man emerged and think to myself, "Oh, look school's about to start. I should be there. We have three weeks of school left, I have so much to do." It was actually a kind of surreal moment. As cheesy as that thought seems, it is exactly what went through my head. And then, as quickly as it flashed through my mind, my focus on being a teacher vanished. There was this tiny wiggly being in  my arms and I was ready to give up everything I spent the last twelve years building for the human being I'll spend the next eighteen plus years raising.

Images from Pinterest.

When I was pregnant people told me that I would love Little Man more than I could imagine. I just nodded and smiled. What did they know? I already loved the kicking, hiccuping, squirming baby inside of me. We had bonding time on the way to work when I would talk to him and he would move and kick in response. I'd rub my belly at night and tell him all I hoped for him. I loved him. There was no way the love I felt for the little being inside of me could be bigger or more intense.

And then I met him. I can't even describe the overpowering waive of utterly unconditional love I felt at that very moment. Nothing else in the world mattered.

First picture of my guy. Thirty-seven plus hours of labor couldn't make this moment less perfect.

And so now, two months and one day later, my love grows bigger and bigger each day. Even on horribly reflux-y days when there is more time spent crying and fussing than gazing lovingly at his mommy, Little Man is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Both Beau and I wonder what took us so long. We finally feel like we have found our purpose in this world. So it seems that all of those people were right.

Life, it seems, is made up of stages. What stage are you in? Does it define you?

Ten Girls to Watch

I have a Goodreads profile--just what I need, another digital forum to keep track of--because I thought it would be a good way to see what books my friends are reading, what titles have gotten good reviews, etc. I had no idea that the site had other benefits to it. One of those benefits is giveaways of advanced copies of books. The idea is that Goodreads members get them, read them and review them and then followers want to read the book. It is good old fashioned word-of-mouth marketing in a digital forum. So I entered a few contests and I won a book! It is Charity Shumway's Ten Girls to Watch. (Actually, I won two books, but I haven't touched the second one yet...)

I was a little doubtful when I got my copy of the book, but i gave it a chance during my many, many, many hours of breastfeeding. (Awesome opportunity to read, BTW.) I ended up liking it quite a bit. It is a pretty good summer read if you're looking for a mindless chick-lit type book. Think something along the lines of a Jennifer Weiner book or The Devil Wears Prada and you've got a pretty good idea of what you're in store for.

Here's the review I wrote for Goodreads.

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Of there was a 3.5 star option, this book would have that, I'm feeling generous, so it got a four rather than the three it probably should have earned. Here's why:

Ten Girls to Watch is classic chick lit: Nice girl goes to NYC to make it big as a writer and finds herself struggling. She fumbles through relationships, friendships and work with equal parts self-deprecation, snark, and earnestness. Astute readers can glean where this book is headed from page one.

Here's the thing- In all of its early predictability, the book shifts toward plot developments that aren't as expected as that first page suggests. That's not to say there is a whole lot of depth or literary merit to it (it won't be up for book awards), but it is an absolutely enjoyable summer read. Shumway has written a novel that will sell well and will entertain readers even if it doesn't win literary awards.

Shumway has created a very likable protagonist who, through a really cool writing assignment, gets to come of age with some advice from successful, accomplished women. This is woven into the plot very effectively and never once hovers in the land of preachy-ness that it very easily could have landed in. 

This is a book I'll recommend to girlfriends who are off to the beach or on vacation. Like other titles of this genre, it is a feel-good departure from the world. Unlike those others, it manages to end pretty realistically without some gag-worthy, sugary sweet group hug that is often the norm. More importantly, though, Dawn is carefully crafted into a character I could see myself being friends with. Shumway managed to make this reader want to see Dawn through all of the ups and downs of her early twenties.


**********


In my defense, I wrote that on my iPhone while breastfeeding a baby, so I know it could be a little bit better, but these days I do the best I can with the time I'm given by the little man.


The book comes out this week--Tuesday (July 31) to be exact. Go ahead and preorder it, then go lounge by the pool or at the beach and enjoy some mindless (but well written!) summer reading.


What's your favorite summer read?

I'm back...

May 3rd was my last blog update. What the what? Did you think something horrendous had happened to me? I'm not one to make excuses, but here goes...

See, what happened was...I got busy trying to get everything done so I'd be ready to have a baby. I had to finish up the class I teach at the community college, get my exams made and approved, have grade books updated, 1200 yearbooks to adoring and expectant high schoolers, clear out my classroom, finish a nursery, prep meals and freeze them, wash and organize newborn clothes and pack hospital bags. See, busy.

I was working like a crazy person. I got the college class finished and grades posted. I did the laundry and almost got the nursery finished. I even packed a bag! Then, three weeks early, my little guy decided to join us on the outside. My mega long to-do list got pushed to the side as he got pushed out. (Sorry...it just typed itself...)

I've got tons of interesting things to write: books to review, products to discuss, sunshine to spew, etc. (Beau tells me that sometimes my posts are a little too cheesily sunshiny. At least he's reading!)

But first, enjoy gazing at my belly the day before I went into labor and, more importantly, the beautiful baby I get to spend the next eighteen years embarrassing. I'll tell you all about the amazing photographer who shot those two pictures in the next day or two (or certainly before a few months pass by!)

So, what have you kids been up to over the past few months? Anything as exciting as having a perfect baby? (Ten fingers! Ten toes!)

Hobbit Feet and Hearburn

I know you all think that some tragic fate has taken me out of this world. Fortunately, you're wrong. I've just had a gazillion things to do and updating my beloved blog has been pushed to the end of the to-do list far, far, far too often.

I know a void opened in your world without me. I will try harder to remedy that!

Today I am going to post about something that consumes my world: pregnancy. This pregnancy has been blissfully easy and fun. I'm one of those freaks who really enjoys pregnancy. I've not really had any of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy yet (knock on wood) and as I enter my 34th week of pregnancy I can really only complain about two minor discomforts.

Yes, Hobbit feet and heartburn. Fortunately for me, I don't have the other dreaded "H" that is often associated with pregnancy. (Again, I'm fiercely knocking on wood.) If you've been pregnant, you know which "H" I'm referring to.

Tuesday was my last day going straight from work to my second job at the community college. Those Tuesdays were my 14 hour days, and as I got further and further into my pregnancy, they got harder and harder. Tuesday night I was wiped out, and when I propped my feet up on the coffee table at home I saw not the cute little feet I am used to, but Hobbit feet. (Minus the disgusting hair, obvs.)

(BTW, a Google images search of "Hobbit Feet" results in some really gross images. This one, from here was the least disgusting one I could find.)

Basically, since Tuesday my feet have been puffy, square appendages that are in desperate need of a pedicure. That's why the image above is not of my own feet. (Well, that and I don't want to become one of the gross images that comes up in Google images when people search "Hobbit Feet." What? People search for that. Trust me.)

Aside from staying hydrated, another "remedy" to Hobbit feet is to elevate them. I try to do that as frequently as possible. I'm currently teaching Hamlet and Macbeth  in the two different levels of 12th grade English I teach. Instead of standing, I have been sitting in front of the class and propping my feet up in another chair to keep the swelling to a minimum. I find that said posture also keeps my professionalism to a maximum... Or not. Oh well.

Anyway, I'm hoping that at some point in the next six weeks the swelling goes down and I can have ankles and cute feet again.

My other ailment is good old-fashioned heartburn. Prior to this pregnancy I'd never experienced heartburn. Now, it is a daily occurrence. It doesn't matter what I eat, it's going to light my esophagus on fire and slowly burn until I pop my new favorite product, Tums.

The Assorted Berries are pretty dang good. Once upon a time, the 96 tablet size above would have lasted me years. Now I'm lucky if I can make them last a month.

But, like I said, I am so very lucky and thankful that aside from these minor discomforts, this pregnancy has been an absolute pleasure.

At this point our little guy is big, healthy and head down. I like to say he's locked and loaded and ready to greet the world. (But hopefully not until I finish the school year...)

Over the next few days I'll (hopefully) have posts about my AMAZING baby shower, some great reads, some products (other than Tums) that I have loved over the past 33.5 weeks, the nursery, my trip to CA, etc.



Until then, have you guys made it though experiences that should have been majorly taxing with only minor complaints? More importantly, have you missed me?