I don't remember when exactly I learned to knit. I'm definitely not very good at it and only have very, very basic skills. Every single woman in my family seems to know how to knit,,, I vaguely learning at my Aunt's house in Ottawa when I was 6 or 7. We used to go visit every summer and winter vacation and I remember my Aunt always having a full itinerary of activities to keep us all busy. I pretty much forgot about knitting until a few years ago when a friend re-taught me and "re-activated" my knitting skillllz.
Anyway, much like Rowen's ugly scarf, her legwarmers were a little DIY project I decided to try winging. I didn't look for a pattern online since I don't really know how to read patterns anyway and how hard would knitting a tapered tube be anyway right? :P
So after a couple of false starts and quite a few nights of staying up waaaay too late hours after Rowen went to sleep, I finally made ONE LEGWARMER! And it actually fit the Baby and there were (well, almost) no mistakes!!! What!
Now I just need to keep the ol' crappy attention span together and try to replicate this and knit her another one. And then we shall have legwarmers! Legwarmers turn out to be a surprisingly practical Baby accessory for chillier mornings lounging around at home.... because who wants to deal with pants unnecessarily, right? Those precious seconds add up when you're trying to change a wiggly, rolling Rowen's diaper! I also think they will be good for cold weather layering over her tights and leggings. Unlike her scarf, there are actually lots of cute (perhaps slightly overpriced) baby legwarmers out there,,, but I wanted to challenge myself with this little project.
Yeah, there are mistakes and it may look a little bit amateur hour, but I'm kind of pleased with myself for actually sticking to it and making something for my Baby! I feel proud to have made something for her!
My goal is another legwarmer in just one week! Which in theory is plenty of time, but you try knitting while taking care of an 8 month old. So let's see if I can do it! Wish me luck! :D
This afternoon, Rowen and I went for a walk. A lovely autumn afternoon walk to the store to pick up some supplies (mouth wash for Lowell, spray shampoo for me, chocolate, etc etc). We don't normally bring Bandit the Raccoon out of the apartment, but he came to the park earlier that day and she's been really into him lately. So Bandit the Raccoon came along!
We were returning home, just about a block away when I looked into the stroller and noticed that Bandit was no longer with us. I looked around, hoping hopingHOPING that he'd be right there on the sidewalk. That he had JUST fallen out. But nope. No Bandit. I shook out her blanket to make sure he wasn't just hiding. Noooope. I took everything out of the stroller basket, hoping that maybe I put him in there without realizing at some point. Nope. So I turned around and retraced our steps all the way back to the store, scanning the sidewalks, hoping to see Bandit. But nope. We went back to the store and I asked the cashier if anyone had found a stuffed toy. Nope. We circled the store a few times... I kept hoping that Bandit would be there in the shampoo aisle. But nope. We walked home calling out for Bandit like a lost pet... no Bandit. I suppose he has a new home with a CAMH-er now. :P
I don't know about you, but the feeling of losing something drives me crazy. I've woken up in the middle of the night to scour my apartment for a missing lipgloss. I hate losing stuff. But losing Bandit has caused a whole new level of anxiety. I felt absolutely anxious and just awful. Rowen has yet to notice that her friend is missing and probably won't actually ever notice...but I still feel just awful. This was one of her buddies and one of the first toys she's had with her since birth. He was a lovely gift from Angela and I hate that he's missing. I suppose we're lucky that he can be replaced, but man, something about losing your Baby's friend... it's a whole new awful low feeling. I've been irrationally upset about the loss of Bandit all evening. I know that I'm being irrational, but I can't snap out of it.
The lesson I've learned from this: Chip the Cat is never leaving the apartment. He's Rowen's "comfort" toy and lives in the crib. (Yeah yeah yeah... no soft toys in the crib etc etc). Chip the Cat however cannot be replaced as he was purchased about 15 years ago.
Mama Friends... have you ever been in a similar situation? Have you ever lost your Baby's favourite thing? How do you get over this feeling of guilt?
First thing's first! As with everything else in this blog, this entry especially is based solely on my own personal experience and opinions! I've had quite a few people come to me for recommendations for Baby Gear, either for their own Baby/Baby-to-be or for a friend. Now clearly, I'm no expert. I'm just a big ol' nerd who loves reading and researching things... all things, restaurants, cellphones, hotels. So having a Baby opened up a whole new world of reviews for products I had never even heard of before! It surprised me how very personal, and at times stressful, the process of choosing Baby gear was.
And yes, I do have a penchant for high end things. However, having a budget to stick to and extremely limited space (we live in the City, we love it) has made it it ever so much more important that I don't just buy whatever pretty thing on a whim. Every item we picked out for Rowen had great thought put into it.
So here, after sharing many wishlists and things that I wish I could have, I would like to share a few items that I am so happy that we had or have! Again, this is just my opinion but here are a few things we loved, along with some links for more info:
Rowen slept in this next to our bed the very first night she came home. Well, she did for about 20 minutes before she wound up in our bed.... We wound up doing co-sleeping for the most part for the first few months, but that's a whole seperate blog entry.
Before Rowen was born, I searched stores and all over the Internet for the cradle/bassinet that I wanted. I wanted my "Say Yes to the Dress" moment (I've been watching too much TLC lately, y'all). I wanted something that was more of a "mini crib" than a bassinet. This was mostly for aesthetics but also because our baby class instructor was a bit of a SIDS scare monger and I became obsessed with wanting something with open, barred sides as opposed to a basket weave or mesh (even though those options can be just as safe).
I had come across the Alma Mini Crib by Bloom and fell in love...but at almost $600, we couldn't justify it. It was surprisingly hard to find a cradle/mini crib style bassinet so when I came across this one by Jolly Jumper I had a moment of "This is the one" and we ordered it online. The Sears online store turned out to be a huge hassle and we wound up having to drive all the way to the UPS depot in Vaughn to pick the little guy up, but it was well worth it. Rowen used it from Birth until about 5 months, when she reached the weight capacity. The cradle was affordable, easy to put together and carry into the other room if needed but was still sturdy and safe. I also liked that it rocked but also had a little leg that could be swung down to stabilize it. Having never been near a Baby before, I did not know the importance of ROCKING!
The cradle was a perfect size. It fit in our tiny bedroom easily but was also able to accommodate Rowen, who is a tall baby, comfortably until 5 months...if you recall this moment in Rowen history. With this cradle, we didn't need to worry about a full-size crib for almost half a year. A full size crib takes up a significant amount of space when you live in a 600-something square foot condo! The most important thing though? Rowen liked being in it. It was her first little space of her own and she was cozy and happy in it.
Baby Carrier
Our carrier is the Ergobaby Organic in Dark Chocolate. Above is the carrier and matching infant insert.
Have you ever heard of "Baby wearing"? Before I was pregnant with Rowen, I had heard of it but had no freakin' clue what it meant! Choosing a wrap or carrier is extremely personal.... and I would encourage both parents to go to an actual store that has floor models to test out.
After extensive research and review reading, I decided to go with the Ergobaby organic. A few of the Mommy bloggers that I followed also rave about it. Why do I like it? Well, again, most importantly...Rowen likes it. The first time she went into it, yeah, she was a bit worried and fussed. But that went away and now, she recognizes the carrier and knows what it's all about.
I'm happy with the Ergo because it is comfortable for both of us. It's much easier to get her into it compared to the cloth wraps that worked well when she was a tiny newborn, and much nicer on my back and shoulders than the wrap. I liked that the carrier is made from soft, safe organic cotton and is easily machine washable. This is all personal preference again but I also felt more comfortable with the Baby's natural sitting posture while in the Ergo, versus the "crotch dangler" style carriers. The Ergo has an "infant insert" which keeps even a tiny newborn supported and safe and is used until Baby can hold her own head up.
The Ergo was absolutely crucial those weeks that Lowell was away on tour... I was able to get some housework done, do laundry and the dishes yet keep Rowen close. A carrier is also great for excursions alone when you might not want to have to bring a stroller (i.e. a quick trip to the grocery store or to pick up some take-out). If you're a City parent, a carrier is also great on public transit whether you're alone or traveling with someone. No stroller to lug up and down streetcar or subway steps! Yes, it did get a bit hot at the height of the crazy humid summer days that we had but all in all, another indispensable baby item.
Quality Mobile
When Lowell and I were choosing a mobile for Rowen's cradle and crib, we wanted to get something that wasn't just cutesy and pretty. We wanted something interesting...but really, we had NO IDEA what that meant for a Baby. We came across one that we both really liked. But it was really more pretty than anything else....plus it was insanely $250 and handknit by Peruvian nuns or some such unnecessary fanciness.
After seeing it at our Baby Class reunion party, I sought out the "Infant Stim" mobile by Manhattan Toy. We bought ours from Kol Kid on Queen Street, but you can also buy it online at a bunch of places. They also just came out with a cool mini version that clips to a stroller or carseat, etc.
The moblie comes with a set of cards that you change as Baby grows up. The first stage is very basic black and white patterns ranging up to colourful little pictures of a cat, bee, car, etc. We never knew that newborns are most stimulated by black and white patterns until we started researching this stuff! Anyway, Rowen was absolutely captivated the first time she saw the mobile. It was amazing to watch her react and focus so intently in a way we had never seen before! At that point in her life when she was mostly just an adorable Baby blob! I feel that this mobile helped her learn to become good at self-soothing at a young age (i.e. not crying when she wakes up or is put down) and as a result, beginning to sleep through the night when she was just over two months old.
Here is a video of Rowen at around 2 months.
She was quietly hanging out in her cradle, mesmerized by her mobile. Oh mah gooodness she was such a little baby blob!! What's neat is that Babies don't seem to get over stimulated by this style of mobile because it doesn't use music, hypnotic spinning or flashing lights.
And while we're on the topic of stimulating Babies with Black and White patterns....
There are SO MANY toys and books and flashcards available for Baby. I could spend an entire entry listing Rowen's favourites toys and books (hey not a bad idea actually). But I had to mention these cards here because they are so handy and effective in grabbing and keeping her attention and can grow with her moreso than a lot of toys. They are easy to bring along on the go and can be a nice activity to look at together or now that Rowen is playing on her own, it's great to spread them all out and let her do her own thing with them. We know that she enjoys it and is working more than she would with a cute stuffed toy. (Of course, this doesn't mean that playing with plain old Chip the Cat isn't awesome too.)
Wee Gallery's website has a little video decicated to "What baby sees" in the cards, click here.
We have two sets of the art cards, and they were from Kol Kid and Baby on the Hip on College Street in Toronto. Momma loves zebras...so the Jungle set shown above would be next one I'd love for Rowen to have. Really though, I'd love to have the whole collection as they are all so lovely! They also make great wall decals and mobile as well.
"Hey don't forget to put butt cream on her every time you change the diaper, Lowell"
"I know! I would never skip the butt cream"
When Rowen was a week or two old, she developed some irritated red skin around her, um, bumhole. It wasn't a full on diaper rash, but it looked sore and gave me anxiety. Before she was born, I had selected a plant based barrier cream to use but it was thick, hard to apply and messy. And uh, evidently ineffective. After the irritation started, I sent Lowell out in the middle of the night to get a big ol' tin of a "classic" diaper rash ointment containing zinc oxide. But it was even thicker and messier and didn't seem to help soothe the already angry skin. My Doctor prescribed us an ointment that I was hesitant to use because the main ingredient seemed like a harsh drug to be using on a newborn... and I was totally freaked out about the warnings on these products about how you should absolutely under any circumstance not let Baby ingest these creams. Babies flail and wiggle, so my anxious mind envisioned her accidently flailing a little fist into the tub of cream and then shoving said little first into her mouth.
In my anxiety-ridden nerd momma research, I read about a few all-natural solutions. Then I remembered a sample I had received and so I pulled it out and anxiously googled the product. The Angel Baby Bottom Balm had a lot of great reviews and the fact that it is olive oil based and 100% natural appealed to me. I kid you not, within a day of using the bottom balm, Rowen's skin healed up and has been perfect ever since. It's smells nice and I feel comfortable using it all over her body on "boo boos" as the label recommends you can do. I've used it on her little self inflicted scratches and dry skin patches. It melts onto the skin as opposed to the traditional barrier creams that glop onto and sit on the skin. We're on our 4th tub since Rowen was born and I keep a mini tub in her diaper bag. This stuff is the best and well worth the money. Olive oil butt cream for all!! Thanks Angel Baby!
P.S. Their line of teas for Mama are great as well!
Vitamin D Drops
This is kind of a random one. I'm including it in the list because I feel like it was something that was never mentioned in all the books and websites that I read.
When my Doctor told us that Rowen needed daily vitamin D drops to supplement being exclusively breast fed, I of course immediately went on my phone and Googled the "best Vitamin D drops for newborns" as soon as we were in the car. A whole bunch of products came up. I went with Baby D Drops because they had significantly less additives compared to the other brands and claimed to be scent and taste-free. Normally I'm all for going generic, but I was surprised at the chemical additives used to suspend the vitamin in the drug store brand.
I actually didn't get these until summertime, as we swaddled Rowen in flannel blankets since it was cold out when she was born. But I WISH we had these in our swaddling days.
Swaddling took a lot of practice but was so great for the first few weeks of having Rowen at home. The key really is to have a blanket that is big enough and has some stretch to it. My Mommy bloggers who figured out to use these muslin blankets rave about it. I personally found a plain blanket to work better than the silly velcro-gadgety swaddle bags.
I used these these blankets in the summer to keep Rowen covered in a lightweight blanket, as a sun shield in the carseat or stroller, as a nursing cover, for her to lay on on the floor or in the bed, etc etc etc.
Quality Stroller
I'm going to try to not write another Bugaboo essay here. "Luxury" strollers turned out to be a real sore spot of mine. I was blessed to receive a Bugaboo Cameleon as an unbelievably generous and incredible gift. If we had not been so lucky, and especially having the experience now with a "fancy" stroller vs. a clunker, I would have definitely pushed for a secondhand "luxury" model within budget.
It really is true that "Stroller = Freedom". I like going on walks with the Baby and pushing the stroller shouldn't take huge effort. The stroller shouldn't be so cumbersome that you can't maneuver it up a stoop or a few steps on your own. I can't describe how much easier it is not only to push but to steer one of the nicer models. Obviously, a stroller is another one of those very personal items that you should test out and research on your own... but I'm just putting it out there that I'm in love with my Bugaboo Cameleon. And prrrrobably would have convinced Lowell to get a Bugaboo Bee secondhand had we not been the luckiest jerks on Earth. The Uppababy Vista (secondhand) and Cruz (new) are tied as my next pick.
And yes, the argument that a Travel system (infant seat that attaches onto a stroller) is more convenient is a good one. Travel Systems strollers are convenient...but so cumbersome! All of the "fancy" strollers have attachments available so as long as you get an infant seat that is compatible, you can have have the best of both worlds. I definitely recommend going and "test driving" your stroller. Practice folding it, unfolding, reclining the seat, braking, etc. Consider if it's important to you if Baby can face in or out and what accessories come with.
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And there you have it, Friends! My overly rambly list of items that have made our lives easier. Having a Baby on a limited budget or small space and riding public transit or walking everywhere is totally manageable. It's just made easier with the right items!
And just one more thing that I wanted to mention!
I don't have a list of things to avoid, but I do have one item that I wanted to rant about:
The Puj Tub. People, DO NOT GET THE PUJ TUB. I've touched on this briefly in my Stroller Envy entry.
Oh, Puj. I rooted for you and was so excited when I read about a tub that was made of soft, magical foam that fit in a sink and then could fold completely flat and hang up out of the way. It was a condo dwelling parenting dream! I was sucked into their marketing ploy (the cute bald baby helped). In retrospect and with experience under my belt, I would hazard against any sort of space saving "folding" tub as a tub is an item that should be super sturdy.
We had an absolutely awful time with the Puj tub and while I know it's mostly due to our own circumstance, such as having sinks that were either too shallow or too deep and a Baby who was 9lbs at birth, I just cannot see this being a practical product for anyone. Those first few baths with a newborn is stressful enough without having a tub that only holds enough water to barely keep her bum underwater and then unravels to leave a cold, wet Baby sitting in the sink. Parents... Please save your money! Babies grow quickly, so even this teeny guy in the photo probably has another week or two until he's overflowing the tub or busting it open with a swift kick to the flimsy magnets that hold it in the folded position. Parents, just get the classic plastic tub at a fraction of the cost. If you don't have a tub, make sure it's one that can fit over a sink. The kitchen sink is a great spot!
No no no!
Yes!
As with everything else, this is just my opinion. If you do decide to try the Puj, that's your choice! Might I recommend picking one up from Craigslist as there are a bunch of others who seems to have had the same experience we did. Or send me an email and you can have ours.
I think I use the term "lusting after" way too often. Remember when I was "lusting after" the Bugaboo? Well, here I am lusting after an extravagant baby item again. Call me vain, but I just kinda hate the shiny synthetic, bulky, goofy-printed blatantly diaper baggy diaper bags. And hey, this is something you have to tote around everywhere like a purse.... why shouldn't it be comfortable and pretty?
I've been on the hunt for a diaper bag that doesn't look like a diaper bag. They certainly do exist but definitely not in a reasonable price range. Everything within the realm of reason in our price range is kinda, well, butt ugly. (*cough* Sorry SkipHopJJCole *cough*) Now why not just use a regular purse with a change pad, you ask? I thought that would work too but having multiple compartments and a specific spot for diapers turns out to be pretty crucial. But having too many compartments can be a big ol' hassle too!
Finding the "perfect" bag seems near impossible. It seems that functionality, aesthetics and affordability do not want to team up when it comes to diaper bags.
Why does every "non-diaper bag" looking diaper bag that I fall in love with have to be so darn expensive??
I'm not rich or a celebrity here but I would love to be one for a day just to get my hands on one of these bad boys.... Or maybe I'll just eventually save and justify the splurge. Eep! :)
Behold Friends, my favourite functional and non-diaper bag looking diaper bags!
She did this by herself, in an attempt to roll over.
It is an extreme understatement to say that she is ready for her big girl crib. We have one picked out (pretty much) and will go pick it up when Lowell gets home next week.
Note: Before anyone sends me messages about SIDS and being a neglectful Momma, I only recently added the bumper pads when she started shoving her little limbs through the bars.... Bumper pads = bad. But sprained little legs = bad as well.
For those of you who may not be familiar, this is an overview of why I was lusting after the Bugaboo Cameleon:
Reversible seat. I was having anxiety that when Rowen moved onto the stroller portion of our current stroller and no longer fit into the infant seat, she'd be facing away from us. No more eye contact! But when she's older, I love the option of having her face out and look around
So easy to maneuver!! We walk around almost exclusively on busy city sidewalks
And well, admittedly, I had a case of childish jealousy. I was seeing the other Mommas at the park and around the neighbourhood effortlessly pushing their strollers along with one hand and meanwhile, ours felt like a workout. Others seems to glide over curbs and cracks in the sidewalks while we would jam into them and give Baby a jolt. City sidewalks are surprisingly bumpy!
Anyway, I have a well-documented and slightly embarrassing case of Stroller Envy.
I became obsessed with studying reviews, perusing the companies websites, combing through Craigslist for secondhand deals for weeks. I'd go into our local store that carries the "fancy" strollers and push them around. I lusted after a Cameleon but found out that it wouldn't be available in Canada for the next whlile. I balked at the idea of buying secondhand due to the potential of buying a defective (we're talking about pushing the precious Rowen Baby in this thing!) or stolen item.... then my amazing, generous Uncle sent one to Rowen as a gift! Oh em geee! Ladies and Gentlemen, this arrived at our door last week:
One of Bugaboo's main visions is mobility. And man, I had no idea what a world of difference we were in for! I swear they use some sort of magical stroller fairy dust on these wheels. They glide along and absorb the shock of big bumps yet still "jiggling" Baby just the right amount that she's content that we're moving.
I was able to maneuver the Bug through inside the elevator and the narrow front hall of the apartment, without once bumping the walls. I actually could do full turn in the elevator easily. With out old stroller, it was a running joke that I 'bumper car-ed" into the elevator every time.
I walked home with my coffee in one hand and gently steering the Bug (with wrist strap on of course) with my free hand and I had no problems negotiating curbs, crazy CAMH-ers staggering in front of us, turning corners... I could not believe it!
We are so spoiled to be blessed with a generous Uncle. I think that everyone should have one of these. Everyone with a Baby, I mean. Buying secondhand would be well worth it if it's not within your budget. I recommend it to any parent, especially if you'll be spending time trekking around on foot like us. This amazing contraption offers peace of mind and freedom. Pushing the stroller has seriously become effortless! And no more bumping Rowen's precious head when we bump into a curb instead of gliding over it!
The Cameleon has a bassinet option and then a seat for when Baby gets big enough to sit up. At first, I was skeptical about the bassinet or "pram" look... but then after taking it out for a spin and seeing Rowen sprawled out luxuriously when she fell asleep, I got it.
For taking transit, I think that maybe the Bugaboo Bee would be easier as it's smaller and lighter but still has the magical Bugaboo fairy dust wheels... It would be easier to lug onto transit and has a one-piece fold if you chose to fold and sling it over your shoulder and hold Baby. The Cameleon is not quite as portable as the chassis (frame thingy part) and the seat have to seperate to fold. As a city dweller, if you could afford it, having a Bee and a Cameleon would be the dream. I'm certainly not complaining though and am absolutely head over heels in LOOOVE with our Cameleon!
p.s. This entry is not endorsed by Bugaboo and is brought on strictly by my own insanity and endless praise for the Cameleon.
This is the Oeuf Sparrow. It's so beautiful isn't it?
This is the IKEA Sundvik. It's also pretty, right?
Baby stuff is funny. For every item that you could think to buy for a baby, there exists a "luxury" version and a "budget" version. How do you tell when it's actually worthwhile to splurge and when it's fine to be practical? My answer so far to that question is.... it is hit and miss! I think as a parent, you're inclined to want to spend as much as you can on Baby. And if you have the money, I think you totally should!! But in some cases, more expensive doesn't actually equal better. (See: THE PUJ TUB. Boo.)
I present to you, the crib that I would purchase for Rowen if it was practical for our budget. In the grand scheme of things, $800 +tax for the Sparrow isn't that much money. But when you can spend $159 on the Sundvik for something that's equally as safe and comfortable, I'm inclined to go with the slightly less attractive version and put the money towards say, a "luxury" mattress.
The Oeuf is definitely prettier. Oh so much pretty pretty. It's made of solid birch and it's from fancy, ambigious "handcrafted in Europe" Land. The Sundvik is kinda the awkward plain cousin. Looks fine until you line it up right next to the pretty. It's made of beech and fibreboard and is made by a machine in Sweden. A plus is that both convert into nice looking little toddler beds when the time comes! Of course, the Oeuf conversion kit costs another $300 while IKEA includes theirs. Ultimately, both comply to the same safety standards. So I say, spend the extra moolah on a great quality mattress since her little body is going to do so much important growing on it.
I certainly wouldn't turn down an Oeuf if say, I won one or was gifted one. It falls under the same category as the freakin' Stokke Xplory. You know what I'm talking about! (If you don't, google!)
More things that I wish I had known about...merchandise edition.
There are so so SO many things to decide upon when you're about to have a baby. Some things are not as important, i.e. "Hmmm what colours of these teeny washclothes should I pick for my registry?" and some are huge. i.e. my first huge decision: Midwife vs. GP vs. Ob/Gyn And some decisions that fall somewhere in between.
Here are a few more random "things I wish I had known" I thought that I'd share. Cloth Diapers vs disposable
I had this grand idea that I would save a bunch of money and go with a handy cloth diaper system and "occasionally" incorporate disposables for going out and such. I spent WEEKS researching different brands, different services and stores and then committed to putting a kit on our "fancy store" registry. The week before Rowen was born, we ordered the kit. After the baby arrived though, I realized that even though the system was simple enough, I just did not have time to do the upkeep. I WISH I could have committed to it, I really do! But... disposables just turned out to be so much easier. SO MUCH EASIER... and those first few days and weeks at home with a newborn are hard enough, we just needed to do what we could to simplify.
It's like how my Momma friend Jenn recommended that we should NOT keep any formula in the house, so that you would commit to breastfeeding even if any issues came up. If it's in the house, you'll be tempted to use it when you're sore, frazzled and sleepless.
Some good did come of the cloth diapering experience though. We were introduced to a beautiful olive oil based diaper cream that is AMAZING. It's 100% natural, smells great and just felt so much nicer to apply to baby's delicate newborn skin. She had developed a mild diaper rash and this stuff cleared it up and it was so much easier to apply than the classic thick, sticky, zinc oxide creams or oily, non-medicinal synthetic stuffs we stocked up on before she was born. I recommend Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm to everyone!!! It's so awesome!!!
Baby Bathtub
WE DID NOT LIKE THE PUJ. Okay, so to be clear. I am not bashing this tub... it's pretty cool and I know so many people who loved it. I did my nerd research and lusted after this thing. But it certainly was not useful for our 9lb longbaby. Living in a tiny condo, any sort of space saving idea was welcome and this thing is some sorta space age foam and folds flat and hangs up out of the way. It was great in that sense.... but not for us in every other way. By the time we put baby in the tub, there was no room for any water and she was so long that she kept kicking the thing open. Bathtime turned into a stressful experience - water leaking out, baby getting cold, baby falling into the sink, Mommy yelling at Daddy... just a bad scene!
We wound up going with a basic plastic basin baby tub that fits neatly in our kitchen sink and it keeps baby submerged properly and I can manage to bather her alone. Most importantly, she LOOOOVES her baths now and everyone is happy.
Stroller envy
The very first thing I spent time doing my nerd research on was our stroller. I absolutely love our Maxi-Cosi infant carrier, it was perfect. But the stroller portion turned out to not be as lightweight and maneuverable as I would have liked. Living on Queen Street, I started noticing all the other Moms (and occasional hipster Dad) with these sleek, modular things. I feel like such a little kid experiencing what I have come to refer to as STROLLER ENVY. It started off innocently enough and then turned into a full-blown obsession. My name is Zoe and I have the Stroller Envy.
But Holy Jebus, these sleek little things are expensive. I've been dabbling with the idea of picking up a second-hand Bugaboo or Uppababy as my Momma friends who have these have endorsed them as being worth the money. I've been watching videos online and okay, yeah, these things with their flippy compact seats, easy to adjust handle and zippy shock-absorbing tired look amazing. There are features that I never even thought about wanting... things like a reversible handle (the thought of not being able to see baby when she first transitions to her stroller pains me!), UV protection in a canopy, a viewing window in the canopy for when she faces forward, shock absorption in the tires (city sidewalks are BUMPY).
So yeah, I'm totally caving to peer pressure. I feel childish that I have the Stroller Envy, I really do. But I justify it with the fact that having a good stroller that's easy to maneuver is important to me. Especially since we do not have a car and walk or take transit everywhere. Stroller = freedom. I am absolutely LUSTING after the Bugaboo Cameleon. I watch the Bugaboo Cameleon video HERE at the bb buggy site daily and drool. The special edition dark purple is just heavenly. When the time comes (i.e. we win the lottery), I have a shopping cart loaded up and ready to click "submit". ;) Edit: Upon further extensive research, I think I've decided that the Uppababy Cruz Or Bugaboo Bee is the ideal candidate. Has the looks and features that I'm looking for and it's within our price range! I prefer the idea of buying new and having a warranty and original receipt vs buying secondhand if possible. Cameleon, you're gorgeous and I went into Ella + Elliot to push you around again today. And I introduced Lowell to you today and he likes you too, but, Beautiful Cameleon, we simply cannot afford you! Nursing clothes
But seriously. I already ranted about this but it's important. I wish I had known to pick up a few maternity pieces that are nursing compatible. It's not completely necessary to have an entire "nursing" wardrobe, no. However, when starting to venture out of the house with baby, or say when you have company, it does make things easier. Now that we've got the hang of nursing, it's less of an issue. But at the beginning, there certainly is a learning curve and anything that can make things easier is welcome.
Related topic: nursing covers. An awesome little garment that is helpful. Yes, breastfeeding is great and natural and while I have no problem doing it in public, I do prefer to be discreet. The discretion has nothing to do with embarassment but moreso the fact that I do not want to flash my naked boobs all about. I hated the "nursing aprons" that were big and bulky and usually in some gaudy ugly print. I looked and looked for a nice, understated cover and came across two that I thought were great. The Jolly Jumper nursing pashmina is great. It's like a pretty scarf and comes in different colours. The Ollie Golightly linen apron is also pretty, lightweight and understated. (It's the one I wound up getting)
Sleepers
One word: Zippers!!! Those little snaps are a pain in the ass. In the middle of the night after getting no sleep or when baby starts to become more active and kicky, having a quick ZIP-UP sleeper makes such a huge difference. Most of them, even cheaper ones have a little flap of fabric to guard baby skin from the zipper so that's really not an issue. I wish we had gotten more zippered sleepers!!
Before we moved apartments recently and after our shower, I remember thinking "Oh my gawd, the baby has SO MUCH STUFF". And she did. Stroller, carseat, bouncy chair, high chair, clothes, toys, diapers, (count 'em... not one or two but) THREE costumes/Halloween outfits.... her *ahem* pink Cadillac.... Lots of stuff. LOTS. But now that we're down to basically ONE MONTH until d-date, I'm realizing that I dropped the ball and there are some important basics that we still need. Oops.
After weeks of doing bassinet research and taking into account all the SIDS info we got at Baby class and from the Doc, I kinda went insane about specifics. (I won't preach about them here). I'm also picky and don't want anything ugly. WHy are so many bassinets stupid and FRILLY? Barf. So it took weeks but we finally picked out a bassinet... But still have to order it.
I also need newborn sized diapers, an actual changing pad for our dresser/changing table, a tub, boobs pads and probably a few more practical (vs. adorable) sleepers. Just these "few" things and then, yeah sure, why not, let's have a baby! :D
We're probably going to try to do a cloth and disposable diaper combo. I'm debating about Bummis vs G Diapers. But that's a whole other discussion and bloggy entry right there....
We put together our stroller/infant carrier travel system thinger today and the Kittenheart officially has more wheels than we do.
To anyone who plans on being pregnant, don't do it without the Snoogle. At first I thought it seemed silly but about a month ago, I started having trouble getting comfortable when trying to sleep and thought "screw it, I'll but the stupid $60 pillow, can't hurt to give it a go!" and I do not regret it. I don't understand why the website looks like something from the 80's but it doesn't even matter, this crazy snake pillow is awesome. I still have grumpy uncomfortable nights but it's significantly improved. When I finally settle into a good spot with the Snoogle all snoogled up in front and my former long body pillow wedged up behind, it's just HEAVENLY.
I realize that I've been mopey and complaining a lot lately, but I wanted to be clear that as much as I'm any combination of tired, moody, achey, nauseous all the time lately, I'm very excited. I may whine when the baby bops me in the guts - it's a pretty strange yet awesome feeling and I kinda like it. The most surreal part lately is feeling our little drummer girl and knowing she's in there, but not having any idea what she looks like.
I just burped (or maybe hiccuped, who the frig knows?) and barfed in my mouth just a little bit. I'm just glad that the last thing I ate was an Andes mint chocolate and it wasn't totally disgusting puke for once!
Lowell and I were out for brunch the other day at the little diner across the street from our apartment. The place is run by a greek family, the food is hit or miss and the service is almost always bumbling... but there is a certain charm to it. The prices are good and the food is prepared by a bunch of grumpy looking old guys in paper hats and stained white aprons so there's a certain nostalgic feel.
Anyway, at the table next to ours there was a hip looking couple finishing up their meal. I noticed that the man had a teeny baby strapped to him using the Maman Kangarou cloth carriers that I had registered for after my nerdy Internet research. So after a little while, I said to them "I'm sorry to interrupt your meal, but I was wondering how you like that carrier? " Normally I'm always hesistant to talk to strangers as we live very much in a culture where striking up conversations with people you don't know is often not well received. I know I've been on the receiving end of it and more often than not, I wind up being annoyed. I knew if I didn't ask though, I'd regret it.
As it turns out though, lately when it comes to baby stuff, people are always more than happy to take a few minutes to chat. It's been an unexpectedly pleasant part of the whole experience. I can recall countless brunches in similar settings where you're sitting literally half a foot away from a stranger, trying to ignore each other. It's like there's an immediate sense of camaraderie or something once they see your belly. They told me about the different types of carriers they had tried and gave the kangarou two thumbs up. I marvelled at how calm and well-behaved their little 2-month old was. Then we resumed eating side by side and ignoring each other. As they were leaving, we smiled good-bye and Mom came back to our table and says to me "The Epidural is your friend!!" before running off again.
No one ever actually leaves me comments here, so I should probably address this on the ol' Facebook or Twitter.... but what is the deal with this "Sophie the Giraffe" character??? Wikiepedia has not offered much useful insight.
A bunch of the "what to register for" lists that I read had this Sophie the Giraffe thing on their lists. I snooped a bunch of registries (people I know and strangers) and everybody had this freakin' Giraffe thing on their registries! Lindsay and I investigated when we were at the store and we didn't get it. It's a large plastic Giraffe that costs about 7 times as much as other toys and teethers. It's kinda large and freaky looking, though admittedly, Giraffes have always freaked me out. I have this crazy OCD where I want to have two of every trinket so in case I lose (for example) a favourite cat-head pacifier, I have a back-up cat-head pacifier at home. I do not want to have 2 giant plastic expensive Giraffes.
Mommas... what's the deal with this Sophie the Giraffe dude? I asked Lowell if we should put one on our registry since "everyone else was doing it?" and he looked at me like I was insane. Why is she so popular? Is she magic and do I need one because EVERYONE else has one and is in on the secret and I am a bad Momma-to-be for denying Kittenheart a Giraffe? Is she just famous for being famous? Because if this thing is the Paris Hilton of baby stuff, I don't want it.
I've been bad at blogging this week. My attention span is non-existent and most of my spare internet time has been devoted to the apartment search (one more month, CRAP!) and baby registry research. It's surprisingly stressful choosing things for Kittenhearts.
I think it's in part to my lack of knowledge and the huuuuuuuge, overwhelming amount of products available. We live in a culture where there are DOZENS of makes and models of fabric slings, of many ranges of prices, to strap a baby to your body. In many parts of the World, Mommas grab a piece of cloth, attach baby to bod and it's done. No one in rural China or Africa is spending $100 on a designer meter of pretty printed fabric.
How do you pick a stroller?! This is something you have to wheel your baby around in so it has to be maneuverable and safe. You have to be seen in public all the time with, it so aesthetics play a (albeit minor) role! Did you know that strollers get stolen?! Because humans are terrible creatures sometimes. So you don't want to be spending a ton of money on your stroller. There are literally hundreds of options available. I would narrow down the the ones that I thought looked decent (non-ugly, reasonably priced, good customer ratings and safety features)... run them by Lowell and then start looking into safety and user reviews. It's really a surprising amount of work! I will be consulting my Momma friends for advice obviously to finish out the registry and list of things we will buy ourselves.
I did finally pick out a stroller, or pardon me, a travel system... which is a carrier/carseat stroller combo. I found another blogger's review of my front runner and while I wish I could say that this photo that she created didn't play a part in my decision....
