tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10753963364988895732024-02-06T23:57:57.449-05:00Mommy Blah's BlahgMrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-26253806131647714182016-01-17T03:55:00.000-05:002016-01-17T03:55:27.813-05:00Are woven wraps and other baby carriers worth it??No preamble, the answer is a huge, resounding YES!!<br />
<br />
Note the time. It is currently 3:23am on a Sunday morning that I thought would be a good shot for me to make it to church - <i>on time</i> even. I can't tell you how huge that is for me.<br />
<br />
Alas, those prospects have blown out of the water with this:<br />
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I kind of ruined things tonight (last night?) - but unintentionally!! I was sooo tired nursing Curtis before bed that when we switched sides, I figured we'd nurse side-lying so I could catch some zzzz's. He eventually fell asleep and then I fell asleep... then he woke up! So I nursed again.. this happened 3 times. No dice on him staying asleep.<br />
<br />
I transferred him to the Pack n Play to fall asleep on his own, which he has done before, but I think the sleep he had before gave him enough energy to STAY UP.<br />
<br />
That was at 1:10am.<br />
<br />
45 mins later, he was not a happy camper. I go up to pick him up, he's ready set to play. Haha.<br />
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Let's nurse to sleep again, shall we? Um no. 15 mins later and he's drowsy but going nowhere towards Lala Land. And I have laundry to do. Lots. Like, "let's catch up from the 3x we tried earlier this week" lots.<br />
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Enter, Didymos Latte Wool Indio.<br />
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I quickly pre-tied a FCC (Forward Cross Carry), my most used carry because I can easily pop Curtis in and out. I unzip the lower half of his sleep sack and pop him in.<br />
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He's happy! The squeals start, the squawks pierce, I shush as I gather up the laundry load. All through the loading and my small admin tasks while waiting for the load to finish, he's pretty awake, throwing his head around, observing these basement surroundings like an Asian tourist in Vegas.<br />
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That pic above was taken at 3am. I was starting to give up. We swivel a few times while I repeatedly sing my made up song about sleeping* (6/8 time really helps!), tuck his head into one of the cross passes and... he starts to blink more slowly. I begin typing this post. Why not? I need to kill time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvDzlRCXGCEfJbIMpPxBNIMkxC9AA7awfmGsmHxUehXtbN88HF9J0LqRmoC1289-SXsJOizlR8M3CT4dEb5_5XoghGEGBLBdDu2gtK8ZECZxsWTaVGvGpgOR2VNEcqTHH4x_NYCUoOEI/s1600/IMG_2337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvDzlRCXGCEfJbIMpPxBNIMkxC9AA7awfmGsmHxUehXtbN88HF9J0LqRmoC1289-SXsJOizlR8M3CT4dEb5_5XoghGEGBLBdDu2gtK8ZECZxsWTaVGvGpgOR2VNEcqTHH4x_NYCUoOEI/s320/IMG_2337.JPG" width="240" /></a>People, he fell asleep by the time I typed "STAY UP" (how ironic!!). And yes, that can happen with a swing or a drive-around or using your arms to jiggle around or rock or carry or whatever. But what I was able to achieve with a wrap is:<br />
<br />
1. He felt assured and comforted. In a swing he *may* have felt like a ditched him, which has happened before with my older 2, and then I'd have to find another solution anyway.<br /><br />2. I could constantly monitor him. I knew how he was doing and could adjust what I was doing to help him get to sleep, or realize it was all futile and continue on with other things, knowing that my walking around would also help calm him down anyway.<br />
<br />
3. I could get up and do things. No, it's not the same with a baby strapped to you, but I love that I can monitor him *and* do the laundry at the same time. I don't have to go over and check, run up if he starts crying, or whatever. I can take care of him right away.<br />
<br />
4. I was able to keep him in an ergonomic position without concern for his well-being. I know that swings have been used but swings are also NOT to be used as sleep aids.<br />
<br />
5. I didn't have to use up gas and drive around, or get out in the cold (or heat, if it were summer). Basically, I could achieve the same thing a drive-around aims to do <i>without</i> the cost of gas and a possible late night crash because <i>I'm</i> tired.<br />
<br />
So are baby carriers worth it? Most definitely. And this doesn't even cover how it helps with my sanity <i>during</i> the day.<br />
<br />
Babywearing wins, indeed.<br />
<br />
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*If you really want to know, the lyrics to this song are all in Cantonese and can be used with almost any simple melody that comes out as you say them. One you could try is "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow", but almost any song with a swing will do. I'll note the lyrics in Cantonese then include an English, uh, translation. Version. That's it, version. In case these may help thousands of other tired parents around the globe.<br />
<br />
<u>Cantonese:</u><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Fun gao-gao, fun gao- gao,</i><br />
<i>Fuuuuun gao-gao,</i><br />
<i>Fun gao-gao, fun gao-gao,</i><br />
<i>Fuuuuun gao-gao.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Fun gao-gao, fun gao- gao,</i><br />
<i>Fuuuuun gao-gaooooo,</i><br />
<i>Fun gao-gao, fun gao-gao,</i><br />
<i>Fuuuuun gao-gao.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<u>English:</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<i>Sleep baby, sleep baby,</i><br />
<i>Gooooo to sleep,</i><br />
<i>Sleep baby, sleep baby,</i><br />
<i>Gooooo to sleep.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Sleep baby, sleep baby,</i><br />
<i>Gooooo to sleeeeeeep,</i><br />
<i>Sleep baby, sleep baby,</i><br />
<i>Gooooo to sleep.</i>Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-14988802797486829852015-10-07T08:30:00.000-04:002015-10-07T17:07:29.855-04:00Babywearing part 4: Why Woven Wraps?Wow it's been 2 months! Here's a short post to catch things up. But before we continue,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I<a href="http://babywearinginternational.org/events/international-babywearing-week/" target="_blank">Happy International Babywearing Week! =D</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1ftSOTVMmfKulgdf9DahmokJMsXCf5DRBpY6EfYiDDAM-JUXHTWUhvHj60Ms5Ij7zc8AbqA9QFMaN6w_fvzKF9aiVoUjhkvqcZ_MruQCH0ml9Wuu4rokIgpWSvbk23KF2a3sXQ38hR4/s1600/IMG_0545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1ftSOTVMmfKulgdf9DahmokJMsXCf5DRBpY6EfYiDDAM-JUXHTWUhvHj60Ms5Ij7zc8AbqA9QFMaN6w_fvzKF9aiVoUjhkvqcZ_MruQCH0ml9Wuu4rokIgpWSvbk23KF2a3sXQ38hR4/s320/IMG_0545.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sole Occidente drying on the rack</td></tr>
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I often get The Look when I mention that I have more than one wrap, and even more than 3. People wonder why anyone would need more than 1 baby carrier, never mind 9 and counting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbfce0WM3ePM3dCWLCZ9TxeBSUJqJsF4kHIBL90jr7WN9HB41P_IkgcOQlY8ke08bDb4niMpFc0SEffs-2Yc5DIWd9oKfAz8wPbu6q6Albtwst1fvzGvki5v6PrbYIECWOhp2hY42Xg8/s1600/IMG_0595+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbfce0WM3ePM3dCWLCZ9TxeBSUJqJsF4kHIBL90jr7WN9HB41P_IkgcOQlY8ke08bDb4niMpFc0SEffs-2Yc5DIWd9oKfAz8wPbu6q6Albtwst1fvzGvki5v6PrbYIECWOhp2hY42Xg8/s320/IMG_0595+-+Version+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nino Rose, Lisca Natur, Stroop and ETHI after an<br />
<strike>ironing of session.</strike> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">session of ironing. (I was tired!)</span></td></tr>
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It really does boil down to It's None Of Your Business, but I'll explain a bit here. I see these as my love collection. And a lot of people have a collection of something they love.<br />
<br />
No one bats an eye when someone amasses 40 video games of which they only really play 3. No one questions a personal library of 300 books. There's nothing wrong with a pile of stuffed animals displayed in pristine collection, or posters plastered around a room, or whatever it may be that people collect! But baby carriers?!<br />
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Maybe it's because it's okay to collect frivolous things instead of collect useful things. Just typing that felt weird. Why should it be Not Okay to collect useful things?<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_47hVtuXQs61Xy7KxeVeiAE_nPOEwAxUqTWSNsNDqoj-j_xD2jh90kqCHf5W5S-RbCNMuado4W4Us4_Fhi1O6f28CxJ9mulOFXMXqpwb1S1DtWFGfqE43wx6PeTWQ9ea1BkCdtsUepfc/s1600/IMG_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_47hVtuXQs61Xy7KxeVeiAE_nPOEwAxUqTWSNsNDqoj-j_xD2jh90kqCHf5W5S-RbCNMuado4W4Us4_Fhi1O6f28CxJ9mulOFXMXqpwb1S1DtWFGfqE43wx6PeTWQ9ea1BkCdtsUepfc/s320/IMG_0671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sole Occidente, then Rose Silk Indo 9I </td></tr>
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I didn't intend on getting all these wraps, but I love colours and I am fascinated by the different wrap qualities due to the fabric blend or the pattern or the thickness/thinness. There are a number of factors which bring personality to a wrap and it's lovely, to me, to experience that personality. It's like playing different guitars or admiring the paint job of figurines - I mean, <i>action figures</i>.<br />
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Which brings us to, Why Woven Wraps? Why not soft-structured carriers (SSC) or Mei Tais (MT) or any other carrier?<br />
<br />
I personally love the versatility of wraps. I can use them on any of my children because they are <i>that</i> strong. I can carry in the front, on my hip or on my back. I can do "poppable" carries which means I don't have to unwrap and rewrap to get my child in and out of the carry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqwvGxtZ2XsxGifvX7-9hX3gfx2QqGGI8axO1Ek_RCkwAzmTDZbyltEb2KgFSjIwcVupVgXCPSf2NEkFZiS0JcLY1MrqiZN8pX_taVE8E-u11RtlSrV7RqAgiEH9rUqEhuNC_p68CNGY/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqwvGxtZ2XsxGifvX7-9hX3gfx2QqGGI8axO1Ek_RCkwAzmTDZbyltEb2KgFSjIwcVupVgXCPSf2NEkFZiS0JcLY1MrqiZN8pX_taVE8E-u11RtlSrV7RqAgiEH9rUqEhuNC_p68CNGY/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kurbis, 1</td></tr>
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I also love how wraps bring me closer to my children. The older two do so more for fun but it's so delicious to have them snuggle against my back. My baby is so relaxed when being worn on me and I can see how he is doing pretty much all the time.<br />
<br />
I actually love the high learning curve. It's a challenge! The fabric length is overwhelming! But the more I practice, the better I get, and this is the kind of challenge I like: tactile, spatial, helps with parenting... okay, maybe the same can be said of chores but it doesn't appeal to me in the same way. I just <i>love</i> the challenge wrapping brings! Maybe because I love the rewards it gives in snuggles and bonding. I connect with that more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrhQSbFsuLblOHC_RrJ9dogpCuMFJXFRmyk-40NV8KmJ07F04EFuXRUNgobDt9qI6GbfcTLpSw6A_JoSutXa7G9nwXANy6xDPZYif19JlDX8ChxfvaMqYg4Ie2EE0_bLBnp9hjXamiw0/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrhQSbFsuLblOHC_RrJ9dogpCuMFJXFRmyk-40NV8KmJ07F04EFuXRUNgobDt9qI6GbfcTLpSw6A_JoSutXa7G9nwXANy6xDPZYif19JlDX8ChxfvaMqYg4Ie2EE0_bLBnp9hjXamiw0/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shades of Blue 5, ETHI 3</td></tr>
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Along with all the above, I can use them as blankets to snuggle with, a hammock to rest in, covers for pretend tents, capes for my kids, all of which have been done save the hammock.<br />
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So that's me and wraps. I love them. I have loved some less and they have been shipped off to the arms of another mama who will use it with her beautiful child. As it stands, this is my woven wrap history:<br />
<br />
Storch Leo Turquoise 6 - first woven in, now sold<br />
Didymos Sole Occidente cotton 6 - still here!<br />
Didy Emerald Turquoise hemp/cotton 3 - still here!<br />
Didy Nino Rose cotton 7 - still here!<br />
Didy Stroppwafel hemp/cotton 2 - still here!<br />
Didy KinderWinter wool/cotton 8 - still here and waiting for winter!<br />
Didy Aurora cotton 2 - sold<br />
Didy Rose Silk Indio 1 - sold<br />
Didy Lisca Natur cotton 5 - still here!<br />
Didy Shadoes of Blue Indio, hemp/linen/cotton 5 - still here and never leaving!<br />
Didy Kurbis wool/cotton 1 - still here! Used more as a blanket<br />
Didy Teviot v2 wool/cotton 4 - still here! Waiting for winter and back carries<br />
Didy Jade hemp/linen/cotton 4 - sold. I'd like a size 6 in the future if I can<br />
Didy Teviot v1 wool/cotton 5 - on it's way!<br />
Didy Latte Indio wool/cotton 7 - on layaway!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLzzkrxqDs86i4ZIYsYRYNf2FtmRAHbbBhqCzzZ4KV4Kg82cTUpF0sMCpBd7DcdW6NiWW7DhaKU7qtlPpAHaUzSTjImkwGnnVtXRb62wbC-oJ5RSJeB71VHvDAXp9EcRUWVAHVb1Nb4U/s1600/IMG_0610+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLzzkrxqDs86i4ZIYsYRYNf2FtmRAHbbBhqCzzZ4KV4Kg82cTUpF0sMCpBd7DcdW6NiWW7DhaKU7qtlPpAHaUzSTjImkwGnnVtXRb62wbC-oJ5RSJeB71VHvDAXp9EcRUWVAHVb1Nb4U/s400/IMG_0610+-+Version+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, this isn't a cheap hobby, but I think I spent as much on my cd collection, which I am not selling off anytime soon. But I have sold off other items to afford the above, and have stopped buying other things - <i>id est</i> I <u>saved</u> - to fund these. It's Still None Of Your Business but I'm sure half those out there, if not most, if not all, are counting the dollars I must have spent. Strange that people do that with wraps but I never saw that in the eyes of people admiring someone's hockey card collection. <i>Hockey cards. </i>Which don't do a practical dime of anything. And I'm not knocking hockey cards, as I used to collect those too, but are you starting to get my point here?<br />
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People collect things. My "thing" happens to be wraps, and I get to use them every day to spend time with my children. Don't knock it till you've tried it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmlz-lKXz0_utZebQyW6DWfmcdFQcXTE6psMXf1bnA-6jsqC97MEkDaGRbichdq2bKk1FAUmeycffkAY9clLPege-bWyUaensMZIY6wGqeBnJIrCTHoZguntgtHccUBfGSPpFMSmKzWE/s1600/IMG_8563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmlz-lKXz0_utZebQyW6DWfmcdFQcXTE6psMXf1bnA-6jsqC97MEkDaGRbichdq2bKk1FAUmeycffkAY9clLPege-bWyUaensMZIY6wGqeBnJIrCTHoZguntgtHccUBfGSPpFMSmKzWE/s200/IMG_8563.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teviot v2, 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX83hVORvGwp0BzRxiP_sbZKvtuzGV2JvQ0shFj-pOPJQfXbAJpe4IUS2F_PTQiDfkv5NZAazIcLS1p5rQiQ8wysKNxkaYqxiM-8b47xRdgXUvj6O2FF5srclTL1NX1VY0QmLbRHZnf8/s1600/IMG_8737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX83hVORvGwp0BzRxiP_sbZKvtuzGV2JvQ0shFj-pOPJQfXbAJpe4IUS2F_PTQiDfkv5NZAazIcLS1p5rQiQ8wysKNxkaYqxiM-8b47xRdgXUvj6O2FF5srclTL1NX1VY0QmLbRHZnf8/s200/IMG_8737.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Triblend, 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPICAy8POrGc8ATU4rhT7Yy1Y8_Q1So-FoHZE5kAeGPYpPfa5k4tWWslwe9yhjJftaubYD7QBr3pDTFBxdpB3U5gEt8_XGFXxxqQFlCRE0DuPSYTG3dqk9xBhBixvZnfXBKENuDEw6nM/s1600/IMG_8827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPICAy8POrGc8ATU4rhT7Yy1Y8_Q1So-FoHZE5kAeGPYpPfa5k4tWWslwe9yhjJftaubYD7QBr3pDTFBxdpB3U5gEt8_XGFXxxqQFlCRE0DuPSYTG3dqk9xBhBixvZnfXBKENuDEw6nM/s200/IMG_8827.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisca Natur, 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4U6tGJBiMur292qxhVW3uE_ttcQrnn0owz922B4xxhFlPI-TqPKJRh9CWUnwafYM99BNukIV0X1PxtRTlM9TsvkOf6HzIoLtwBEzbH8b8HnprEt6TWkT9oeqHTXt8iUF2jn2PCz28ug/s1600/IMG_8804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4U6tGJBiMur292qxhVW3uE_ttcQrnn0owz922B4xxhFlPI-TqPKJRh9CWUnwafYM99BNukIV0X1PxtRTlM9TsvkOf6HzIoLtwBEzbH8b8HnprEt6TWkT9oeqHTXt8iUF2jn2PCz28ug/s200/IMG_8804.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sole Occidente, 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUx9acG_f0Pyxsj4K5FWllqkJyP04wgsESmhJPPYZUMBSV5aJs3EUD2Ib7AjO5KFrBeXDu4C45S2d1W1gpwtMhml4urRXQt6MXpWbEtI9D1aqXUQqmi9wx3jKO7otH05YYKFA9SLZRcM/s1600/IMG_8820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUx9acG_f0Pyxsj4K5FWllqkJyP04wgsESmhJPPYZUMBSV5aJs3EUD2Ib7AjO5KFrBeXDu4C45S2d1W1gpwtMhml4urRXQt6MXpWbEtI9D1aqXUQqmi9wx3jKO7otH05YYKFA9SLZRcM/s200/IMG_8820.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisca natur, 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So why not other carriers? Firstly, as you can see I only stick to one line. Helps keep the wallet-thinning at bay. That means there isn't much variance to carriers other than prints, and I'd much rather spend my budget on practical differences. For others that's their kick, to have 10 different Tulas or what-have-you, and that's perfectly fine. =)<br />
<br />
For more info on woven wraps themselves, take a look at the links below!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://babywearing102.tumblr.com/post/56148580856/the-economics-of-babywearing">http://babywearing102.tumblr.com/post/56148580856/the-economics-of-babywearing</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kokorotextiles.com/blog/2015/2/27/the-life-of-fabric">http://www.kokorotextiles.com/blog/2015/2/27/the-life-of-fabric</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sabcollective.com/?p=3144">http://www.sabcollective.com/?p=3144</a>Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-27885484361137526842015-08-26T08:00:00.000-04:002015-08-26T08:00:01.678-04:00Baby Wearing Part 3: Woven Wraps!So... my baby has been born! It's been 4 weeks now and I've had the chance to use my wraps with my littlest one. Because he's still so young, tho, there are only several carries I can do with him, and I've only tried a few of them myself.<br />
<br />
But I've been able to take pictures of me with him in the wraps! So here are some of them. And the next post we'll talk a bit more about woven wraps and hopefully answer a few questions about them, such as "Why are they so expensive?" and "Why do some people (like Ada *ahem*) have so many?"<br />
<br />
But first, pictures. =)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zc9KEXmzJSselN7zq2bDvUEqYOK8AtGEJ4VEBmqkZKKygPX1MmvHZu7G78KVp_plAU_GLwZpY-EhUjKyxXJb_s0XOQnKPXV8ZoT5ypWeRBhf0VJQz-skj9o4WBSZilvDqh8Pgafb8pw/s1600/IMG_8393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zc9KEXmzJSselN7zq2bDvUEqYOK8AtGEJ4VEBmqkZKKygPX1MmvHZu7G78KVp_plAU_GLwZpY-EhUjKyxXJb_s0XOQnKPXV8ZoT5ypWeRBhf0VJQz-skj9o4WBSZilvDqh8Pgafb8pw/s320/IMG_8393.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didymos Lisca Natur, size 5;<br />
3 hours after birth in the hospital </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ1XoYKDW9p8JALZtXvdihFhlKVuf7pKr6Sgfss1TTCpWHPe5xnU5RkUAiVntPwCZzMp3pgNqOS85EmU3ipKcHSKPMIMmGXtXjpCKVOzdED-gVWSk3Fxj8S7HxVauTVMs_TXppEUcfqk/s1600/IMG_8396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ1XoYKDW9p8JALZtXvdihFhlKVuf7pKr6Sgfss1TTCpWHPe5xnU5RkUAiVntPwCZzMp3pgNqOS85EmU3ipKcHSKPMIMmGXtXjpCKVOzdED-gVWSk3Fxj8S7HxVauTVMs_TXppEUcfqk/s320/IMG_8396.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didymos LIsca Natur, size 5;<br />
Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73PT3jlwFwQUNTE0JsvnSyTOBPPb3p8vvKcQVYknizd0RLyCtbBey7t55Vx4bESJ1II8Xy3L6mygKeORCS6u84TjhK0-rJM8kYutPJgNhN3ks2uaOIBtduptIPThr2YEtOq7zuyogOL4/s1600/IMG_8422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73PT3jlwFwQUNTE0JsvnSyTOBPPb3p8vvKcQVYknizd0RLyCtbBey7t55Vx4bESJ1II8Xy3L6mygKeORCS6u84TjhK0-rJM8kYutPJgNhN3ks2uaOIBtduptIPThr2YEtOq7zuyogOL4/s320/IMG_8422.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didymos Sole Occidente, size 6;<br />
Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTvA3FJykRUSK8tf0kh0hzVPW3Og7mcCSIiQa59_U3MbG9j01Ul4kgPhbh70FODdFgsHdMN_-JNWSaxvsnopwnjWXfOObQjtPgQBN4-Tn5J82eC97C0oZYtr_QthejcwD-xHurjzcod0/s1600/IMG_8437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTvA3FJykRUSK8tf0kh0hzVPW3Og7mcCSIiQa59_U3MbG9j01Ul4kgPhbh70FODdFgsHdMN_-JNWSaxvsnopwnjWXfOObQjtPgQBN4-Tn5J82eC97C0oZYtr_QthejcwD-xHurjzcod0/s320/IMG_8437.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didymos Shades of Blue, size 5;<br />
Front Cross Carry (FCC)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw4Rx_e1xSFUt5eIJuKrXAypJj0HnCuHMOLKTyx3FoWGcfKtH5AMkLUTQqGjkIG2hroyUCDJSw6ULwuIZCffDe_15IXvIPjbFZ4n9jzpASED_EF6U3NZW4ViRUhHnupK4HTU3dAJH1xM/s1600/IMG_8446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw4Rx_e1xSFUt5eIJuKrXAypJj0HnCuHMOLKTyx3FoWGcfKtH5AMkLUTQqGjkIG2hroyUCDJSw6ULwuIZCffDe_15IXvIPjbFZ4n9jzpASED_EF6U3NZW4ViRUhHnupK4HTU3dAJH1xM/s320/IMG_8446.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didymos Emerald Turquoise Hemp Indio, size 3;<br />
Semi-FWCC with slip knot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJw_HADgA_geknIIXSHCQfwNcFDR33EF2J2arsXfwrW9TtL3RT7qInOumt1ff6cXafKZgfRMoG1AwRJj1bfFbxcXMfnf6WvX5l9YmvIfLzSvE-Gn72vcisRk07XLma_t413hZQ9VjDI4/s1600/IMG_8518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJw_HADgA_geknIIXSHCQfwNcFDR33EF2J2arsXfwrW9TtL3RT7qInOumt1ff6cXafKZgfRMoG1AwRJj1bfFbxcXMfnf6WvX5l9YmvIfLzSvE-Gn72vcisRk07XLma_t413hZQ9VjDI4/s320/IMG_8518.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didymos ETHI, size 3;<br />
SFWCC w slip knot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAxST5gP2yiw7fDh5CteCrtVxIeG6HSoZk4jMJKvcmGFrJdG0AKT5AJVmhOfgoIrgLQ2nf2KDbW5qQdhwUw2sFFkX2ucFdDpYmTOD2MaeXztiRX2nWX83FbcQkdXSwLBPeVuVgkkNo4Q/s1600/IMG_8563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAxST5gP2yiw7fDh5CteCrtVxIeG6HSoZk4jMJKvcmGFrJdG0AKT5AJVmhOfgoIrgLQ2nf2KDbW5qQdhwUw2sFFkX2ucFdDpYmTOD2MaeXztiRX2nWX83FbcQkdXSwLBPeVuVgkkNo4Q/s320/IMG_8563.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didymos Teviot v2, size 4;<br />
SFWCC with sling rings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhihM2bSh619YUdFib6W_e0pktWuR4fI0GsCT5rKvLUQIGr1Qplpb23qT0QLKDYXpMNO0Ta4WxE9xC924h6gCROggOIuMCH8wQazNYgWJqEe9m1-eUj7greVnsnLDJ5cjo6nEG808QmtM/s1600/IMG_8596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhihM2bSh619YUdFib6W_e0pktWuR4fI0GsCT5rKvLUQIGr1Qplpb23qT0QLKDYXpMNO0Ta4WxE9xC924h6gCROggOIuMCH8wQazNYgWJqEe9m1-eUj7greVnsnLDJ5cjo6nEG808QmtM/s320/IMG_8596.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didymos Teviot v2, size 4;<br />
SFWCC with sling rings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-21467056633043361672015-07-18T12:31:00.002-04:002015-08-23T11:42:28.300-04:00Baby Wearing Part 2b: Summer Tips and Healthy PracticesWith the warmer weather coming out in full force now, families will want to go out and enjoy the sun! Everyone needs to keep aware of keeping safe in hot weather though, which is so easy to forget when traipsing around outside.<br />
<br />
Below is a review of ideal practices and highlighted tips for baby wearing in the summer, but the latter can really be applied in any summer situation with a baby. Hope these help and that you all have a great time under the sun!<br />
<br />
<b>Ideal Practices</b><br />
<br />
Almost everything revolves around TICKS, so here's a refresher.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.schoolofbabywearing.com/Images/TICKS.pdf" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6ubvSIryQkSBu35w81x1KbH2h-H_NLiwBd-pziS1hWgsISnU2mbuna75OYEev27sKAfQI_e49ipObtHecWwecaihdHoXOyPsMB2-VZLejbH3mBKP-Oo7RjVtTBoR2Mho3se53NgmzPQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-05-27+at+10.41.20+PM.png" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">T</span>ight</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">I</span>n</span></b> view at all times*<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">C</span>lose</span></b> enough to kiss<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">K</span>eep</span></b> chin off the chest<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">S</span>upported</span></b> back<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
*In the summer, this may be the most important so you can continually gauge your baby's condition. Remember that covering baby with a blanket may keep the sun off BUT may incubate heat as well, and keep baby from your view.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc9Kl7k6Geo2UkmtoHWLOPXIhb2QDaZA-IcNSxPJi4D7Phj98SlJnLExbtWo7v9ZkUYetUUWsVlSkq6_3mS-fifdHQCYd4kDWwotr2VaF5jLZeqyc_h364LmykYxFAMhmo8txV0gWuI0/s1600/IMG_8196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc9Kl7k6Geo2UkmtoHWLOPXIhb2QDaZA-IcNSxPJi4D7Phj98SlJnLExbtWo7v9ZkUYetUUWsVlSkq6_3mS-fifdHQCYd4kDWwotr2VaF5jLZeqyc_h364LmykYxFAMhmo8txV0gWuI0/s200/IMG_8196.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how supportive a back carry can be!<br />
4.5 years old and 35 pounds. =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another part of ideal practices is to keep the baby facing towards you. It is not necessarily unsafe to have the baby outward-facing, but you cannot monitor how your baby is doing if he or she is not facing you. It will also be tougher on your back as the weight is pulling outward on the person carrying, putting unnecessary stress on your lower back and shoulders. Back carries, however, allow for the child to look out at the world while being much more ergonomic for the person carrying. Baby can also "tune out" the activity around them if they become overwhelmed, which is more difficult to do if they are in front and outward-facing. To ensure you can monitor your baby while back-carrying, the baby should be up high enough so that his or her head should be able to rest on your neck.<br />
<br />
For a more detailed review of outward-facing versus inward-facing, please see <a href="http://theecofriendlyfamily.com/2012/02/babywearing-why-forward-facing-isnt-for-you/" target="_blank">this great article</a>. Please don't be put off by the title! Read it for info and guidelines.<br />
<br />
Here is also a <a href="http://www.ecobabysteps.com/2013/07/06/common-questions-about-forward-facing-baby-carriers/" target="_blank">great FAQ on forward-facing carriers</a>.<br />
<br />
Some of us who are already baby wearing may be itching to correct those wearing forward-facing carriers. I love how <a href="http://canadianbabywearingschool.com/?p=814" target="_blank">The Canadian Babywearing School </a>gives perspective on this topic. The most important statement from this post, I would say, is this:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px;">The only </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px;">unsafe</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; line-height: 18px;"> positioning is (especially in a baby 4mos and younger) chin to chest </span> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">– which I’ve seen in strollers and carseats and swings and even in poorly tightened woven wraps facing in – </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">as well as most often in full cradle carry positions.</span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you're a research geek like me, check out this amazingly <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lOfouAoHNat1Wf4M6FH-iwEfJRgU0nsXjtGv5jpuEYU/edit#gid=0" target="_blank">detailed Google doc</a> about different carriers and such.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Summer Weather tips</u></b><br />
<br />
Please take note of these, because sometimes we become so occupied with how hot we are we don't remember that children will feel the effects but don't know how to address heat issues.<br />
<br />
Also remember that babies under 6 months old cannot regulate their own temperature and cannot sweat to keep themselves cool. For more info on how to know if you're overheating a newborn, please click <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/1001051-overheating-newborn/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://carrymeaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Umbrella-for-summer-babywearing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://carrymeaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Umbrella-for-summer-babywearing1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://babycarrierindustryalliance.org/2015/01/hot-weather-safety-tips/" target="_blank">If you're hot, baby is hotter </a><br />
- mind that carrier is another layer, so naked with a diaper for really hot days is a consideration (for the baby, not you!)<br />
- wear thin clothing yourself<br />
- drink lots of water/milk, both you and baby!<br />
- a hot car to us is even hotter to baby<br />
- light misting of water from a spray bottle can help<br />
<br />
Make sure baby is visible to ensure you can watch out for overheating.<br />
- heat stroke will escalate more quickly in a little body!<br />
- being floppy or more irritable; fewer wet diapers; refusing to drink; sunken fontanelle/soft spot.<br />
- more details can be found <a href="http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=305&id=1605" target="_blank">at this link</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://carrymeaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Summer-Babywearing-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://carrymeaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Summer-Babywearing-21.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Stay out of the sun<br />
- cover what you can but make sure baby is visible<br />
- use sun hats, mesh SPF baby leggings on arms or legs, loose clothing<br />
<br />
For more reading, take a look at this <a href="https://www.carrymeaway.com/learncenter/how-to-wear-your-baby-in-hot-weather-summer/" target="_blank">Hot Weather Guide</a>.Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-24188322881157506502015-06-11T20:00:00.000-04:002015-06-11T20:00:23.531-04:00My Wishes for My New Squish**Interrupting baby wearing posts with wishes. =P We've only got 6.5 weeks to go; 3.5 weeks if the trend of 1-week (Derek) and 2-weeks (Kristen) early. =O**<br />
<br />
Middle of week 33 of pregnancy with my wish list for our upcoming squish! Yes, I'm picky about what we get, because I've thought out which products will work for us and which won't. We don't want extra stuff lying around because with 2 kids, we've got enough of that! We're open to suggestions but please don't be offended if we say no.<br />
<br />
No, you're not obligated to get us a gift because you know us, because you're coming to visit, or because you're family. Gifts are great but not when it's given reluctantly or because one feels one "has to give something".<br />
<br />
That said, any of these would help us out, and reasons are given below each item to help those wanting to give something decide how to contribute to calming our chaos. =D We have a registry with Babies R Us (#61268472), some of which are listed below. I've separated the items between necessities and nice-to-haves, altho we should have enough from previous kids to make do with already.<br />
<br />
Again, no obligation to gift! Besides, I like making wish lists. A dreamer, am I. =)<br />
<br />
<u><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Nice-To-Have</u><br />
<br />
aden + anais - hooded towel, "giraffe"<br />
- This would just be a luxury to have, so if you want to indulge us a little, this would be a great item.<br />
<br />
aden + anais - swaddleplus in "jungle jive" or "wild about giraffe"<br />
- nice and breathable for summer swaddling!<br />
- if you think we're having a girl, I like "oh girl!" or "girls-n-swirls" prints. The other ones are too girly. =P<br />
<br />
Braun - ThermoScan Ear Thermometer<br />
- We have a thermometer but this would be great to have for accuracy and speed.<br />
<br />
Crayola - My First Crayola stampers<br />
- easy crafty things for the older kids<br />
<br />
Crayola - Paint Brush Pens 5-pieces<br />
- 1 set per older sibling for crafty crafts!<br />
<br />
Infantino - Grow-With-Me Activity Gym and Ball Pit<br />
- Has a mesh "fence" to keep toys in but most importantly, to keep Derek and Kristen's rolling toys out and away from baby!<br />
<br />
LeapFrog - Mr. Pencil<br />
- Older kids don't get to use apps much but when they do, this would be a great addition to our LeapFrog stash!<br />
<br />
LeapFrog - Doc McStuffins<br />
- A gift from Baby to older sister. =)<br />
<br />
LeapFrog - World Map<br />
- A gift from Baby to older brother<br />
<br />
Little Tikes - Fold 'n' Store picnic Table<br />
- This would be so awesome to have if/when we have more kids over for the older siblings<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Necessities</u><br />
<br />
aden + anais - burpy bib, single<br />
- Got these for Kristen and LOVE how they cover as either a bib or burp cloth. K still uses these for dinner time!<br />
- Gender neutral prints like turtle or monkey are perfect<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
Aleva Naturals - Bamboo Baby Wipes<br />
- Keepin' that bum clean! Lavender or sensitive ones, we've used both before.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
Babies R Us - Monkey Changing Pad Cover<br />
- Need to replace to tattered ones.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
Dr. Brown's 2-Pack 4oz standard glass bottle<br />
- If NewBbb takes the bottle, these would be awesome to have!<br />
<br />
Koala Baby - 3-pack hooded towels Green Turtle/Duck<br />
- gender neutral!<br />
- I have a feeling we'll be behind on laundry a good number of times, so we could use some extra towels.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Kushies - Cradle/change Table pad sheet<br />
- For those time when a spill happens but we don't have the time/hands to change the pad cover. We have one and it's so great to have!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Lansinoh - nursing pads, 60 pack<br />
- We need to stock up on these!!<br />
<br />
Lansinoh - lanolin<br />
- I thought I could keep these from previous nursing times but they're all smelling bad. =(<br />
<br />
Piccolo Bambino - washcloths<br />
- Derek and Kristen use theirs at the table now as napkins, so NewBbb will need his/her own!<br />
<br />
Thyme Maternity - panties in medium<br />
- Sorry if it's TMI, but pregnancy and post-partum mom will need more of these!<br />
<br />
Thyme Maternity - soft cup nursing bra<br />
- Sorry if it's TMI, but my older ones are wearing out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-50571946556610074012015-05-28T08:30:00.000-04:002015-05-28T08:30:00.243-04:00Baby Wearing Part 2a: Healthy Baby WearingBefore continuing on about my journey on baby wearing, and specifically with woven wraps, I thought I'd share what healthy baby wearing is.<br />
<br />
There are many more carriers out there than even 5 years ago, or at least they are more widely known. The internet has definitely expanded the reach of markets across the globe, and fans of Tula, Beco, Ergo and Kinderpack have been posting pictures of themselves with their babes and the carrier with the print they oh-so-love.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo6uQccsEeCBY5pDdgu7OBlxjB0o14LomLI7ZbI-tT9OqgjBs3BTGNWvkacHBTLsv8sGprMTwtsELR5RpgO9_NmGRLg9qbZ234z3d_OlgyjvfVDxAWT62QT3ZK5yAEqU_FT__wM2yQvg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-27+at+10.31.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo6uQccsEeCBY5pDdgu7OBlxjB0o14LomLI7ZbI-tT9OqgjBs3BTGNWvkacHBTLsv8sGprMTwtsELR5RpgO9_NmGRLg9qbZ234z3d_OlgyjvfVDxAWT62QT3ZK5yAEqU_FT__wM2yQvg/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-05-27+at+10.31.22+PM.png" width="208" /></a>But there are still some people who are risking their baby's health when carrying in certain ways. This is a touchy subject, as many informed parents wonder if they should ever approach another parent who may be wearing their child in a less-than-optimal position. On one hand, baby wearing is great so perhaps we should leave well enough alone. On the other hand, many of us say that if we were informed by another well-meaning parent, we would be grateful!<br />
<br />
So, my passive-agressive way is to blog about it. =P Not like I know anyone who does so incorrectly anyway, but if you're baby wearing and unsure about the position, or looking to start and are learning the ropes, this post is for you.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">WHY WEAR A BABY?</span></b></h3>
Firstly, why wear a baby? We can leave them in a stroller or put them in the crib or bouncer... but we all know there are many, many moments when babies just want to be held. And that's natural! They were in a small, cozy, dark space for so long and all of a sudden projected into a loud world with their limbs flailing. For at least the first 4 months, they will want to keep being in a place which simulates the environment they were in for 9 months. That's understandable, isn't it? Even after they get to know the world as we know it, there's a lot to take in and learn, and being near us, their parents, is a refuge.<br />
<br />
Here is a post by <a href="http://babywearinginternational.org/what-is-babywearing/babywearing-resources/benefits-of-babywearing-2/" target="_blank">Babywearing International </a>which gives the benefits of baby wearing. Here are my bullet points of the page:<br />
<br />
<i>Happy Babies</i> - they like being held! Great for colicky babies<br />
<i>Healthy Babies</i> - being physically close helps baby regulate own physical responses, especially premies/special needs<br />
<i>Confident Parents</i> - learning to read cues<br />
<i>Loving Caregivers</i> - babies come to recognize their caregivers<br />
<i>Comfort and Convenience</i> - can go about chores and tasks more easily<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">HOW TO WEAR A BABY?</span></b></h3>
<a href="http://www.schoolofbabywearing.com/Images/TICKS.pdf" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6ubvSIryQkSBu35w81x1KbH2h-H_NLiwBd-pziS1hWgsISnU2mbuna75OYEev27sKAfQI_e49ipObtHecWwecaihdHoXOyPsMB2-VZLejbH3mBKP-Oo7RjVtTBoR2Mho3se53NgmzPQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-05-27+at+10.41.20+PM.png" width="226" /></a><br />
You can refer to the poster above as provided by Health Canada, or you can learn to remember your TICKS!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">T</span>ight</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">I</span>n</span></b> view at all times<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">C</span>lose</span></b> enough to kiss<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">K</span>eep</span></b> chin off the chest<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: lime;">S</span>upported</span></b> back<br />
<br />
Further explanations on the TICKS poster below. Click <a href="http://www.schoolofbabywearing.com/Images/TICKS.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> for a link to the full version.<br />
<br />
Note: "Supported back" used to say "Supported <i>straight</i> back" (emphasis mine) but for a baby, a curved back is more natural to their growth. Keep that baby's spine curved!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrKjfIKbxZolmIMyQ0FSOtz2ABtT-DNOKH9cOIlxqpCgfQTqLV5DgY4aGPL9nPugI3ehE80qeVUanB1ApHMTP_xlu2iNhTjmuy-gazIS7CNj0ZMw1-lHiylpPI8otzguhRdBQbTz6OEE/s1600/blogger-image--1960759600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrKjfIKbxZolmIMyQ0FSOtz2ABtT-DNOKH9cOIlxqpCgfQTqLV5DgY4aGPL9nPugI3ehE80qeVUanB1ApHMTP_xlu2iNhTjmuy-gazIS7CNj0ZMw1-lHiylpPI8otzguhRdBQbTz6OEE/s320/blogger-image--1960759600.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristen sleeping in the Moby while I eat... something. LOL.<br />
But note the TICKS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">DANGERS TO BABY WEARING?</span></h3>
Here is what <a href="http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/healthy-living-vie-saine/infant-care-soins-bebe/slings-porte_bebes-eng.php" target="_blank">Health Canada </a>has put up as warnings. My own thoughts in italics below each point taken from that page.<br />
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<div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 11.5px;">
Serious injuries and deaths can occur when:</div>
<ul style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 11.5px; margin-top: 0px;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">the wearer trips and the baby falls out of the sling or carrier</li>
<ul>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i>Falling out can also happen to babies in a stroller, and particularly to babies who are in infant seats precariously placed on top of grocery carts. I've seen so many babies balanced that way, and so many kids not strapped into their stroller and pretty much falling out! I don't see how a sling or carrier is more dangerous.</i></li>
</ul>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">the product malfunctions or its hardware breaks</li>
<ul>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i>This can happen - and has happened - in strollers as well. This is, however, why it is SO important to get a high quality carrier. Woven wraps are not simply "another piece of fabric" or a table cloth or a bed sheet. I'll get into it in another post but there is much more care that goes into a woven wrap and soft structured carriers!</i></li>
</ul>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">the baby falls over the side of the sling or out through the leg openings</li>
<ul>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i>Which is why learning how to use the carrier properly is necessary. As I mentioned before, I've seen babies and older children practically falling out of their stroller due to manufacturer's lack of foresight (Graco had a tray without a middle piece to meet the stroller so kids - unstrapped, mind you! - would slip right down and through) or simply due to parents not buckling their children in. No one has cried out "Danger!" on strollers.</i></li>
</ul>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">the baby is positioned incorrectly, causing suffocation against the product's fabric, the wearer's body, or their own chest</li>
<ul>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i>I refer you back to the TICKS! Along with that is keeping the child's legs in the "M" or "frog-legged" position, which will be discussed below.</i></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
So what does unhealthy baby wearing look like? Tune in to my next post! And before you think I'm judging, I'll be posting up pictures of my unhealthy baby wearing. Most times it's just a matter of learning the correct way. Not all carrier manufacturers will tell you the right way to carry, just the right way to use their product. So let's all learn and promote healthy babies!Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-633527019494129932015-05-19T08:30:00.000-04:002015-05-19T08:30:00.966-04:00Baby Wearing Part 1: My JourneyLong time no post! Sorries and apologies... life happened and I fell off the blogging wagon. Again. Le sigh.<br />
<br />
And life goes on. It's just blogging after all!<br />
<br />
If we know each other on Facebook, you probably know that I've been swimming into the world of woven wraps. I've used baby carriers before and still have one, but after reading about and trying woven wraps, I really wish I had known about them 5 years ago!<br />
<br />
I won't go terribly into depth here, but my baby wearing journey is as follows:<br />
<br />
Moby wrap<br />
Pouch sling<br />
Britax carrier<br />
Tula (standard)<br />
Leo Storchenwiege (5/6)<br />
Didymos Cotton Indio (6)<br />
Didymos Hemp Indio (3)<br />
Didymos Nino Rose (7 - was supposed to be a 5!)<br />
Didymos Kurbis Wool (2)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSBqcrbmPRBf_YcHJ14YQmM-YVpSrkxL9bbOG0dacPQ46umUGjcOwR5689NmJbT0QvQb9OwVKtig9NO9VzNl3yOMO3NuN7_sdXP-dAeCVtTPVs5HJZXc6Rgj2ww-u0u95XP4WvbbLLpw/s1600/IMG_2183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSBqcrbmPRBf_YcHJ14YQmM-YVpSrkxL9bbOG0dacPQ46umUGjcOwR5689NmJbT0QvQb9OwVKtig9NO9VzNl3yOMO3NuN7_sdXP-dAeCVtTPVs5HJZXc6Rgj2ww-u0u95XP4WvbbLLpw/s200/IMG_2183.jpg" width="149" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DmJ8ph3DwdBdqAExhmPXudLgF6XMRfr4U8anXpLtnQL-NF-3kTxMpivdnvUicnfD_RY2ws8RBQ5Wqm7-rzR_4bQnxaDPI6kj7oumjajXv2YWxOxQtIcOZkd_zKmHRFUQUvls_4513tc/s1600/IMG_2204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DmJ8ph3DwdBdqAExhmPXudLgF6XMRfr4U8anXpLtnQL-NF-3kTxMpivdnvUicnfD_RY2ws8RBQ5Wqm7-rzR_4bQnxaDPI6kj7oumjajXv2YWxOxQtIcOZkd_zKmHRFUQUvls_4513tc/s200/IMG_2204.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L: Kristen kept nice and snuggly while I get to eat!<br />
R: Kristen nursing while I spend time with Derek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Why have I been switching over to wovens? Firstly, I love their versatility. I thought wraps were more like the Moby, which were hot to use even with my winter babies and so long - fabric was everywhere! That's why I went with the pouch sling, for quick ins and outs before my baby could walk, but I found it straining on the shoulder. I also couldn't use it after baby was a certain weight and size. Moby also has its limitations; even though it advertises use up to 35 lbs, many (including me) have found that it starts sagging after about 15 lbs of weight because of the stretch, requiring me to readjust and retie every 10-15 mins. Not a productive way to spend my time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwxegPaaKfIMzad2xAwpDjpL1C8GaoWAEVfm36x2_xt3INntiZJ2SCp8Cj2auBSCfjww7_mv5EYD0glNd_h8hEX_fLcf6J4c6-qE5F2Et5h4vj-i4pU7SCHvoVFi8AlBJwJigg4WliT4/s200/IMG_0763.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5fcL3Ydaxr8VwXiZsK0ey_tX84lIasb-t64FBN04h8WyYxMRhLxtuqLkE2PMsitHC1JR38tQfqQe8edigUjxciT8PLxvv9TaFePNEcuT9jx522K2k7X5DOV3uEhcyvGAHtcv-zOD-lY/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5fcL3Ydaxr8VwXiZsK0ey_tX84lIasb-t64FBN04h8WyYxMRhLxtuqLkE2PMsitHC1JR38tQfqQe8edigUjxciT8PLxvv9TaFePNEcuT9jx522K2k7X5DOV3uEhcyvGAHtcv-zOD-lY/s200/IMG_0755.JPG" width="148" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek at 8 months, about 18 lbs?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I then found out about the pouch sling, and I was really intrigued because it would allow me to I could pop my baby in and out for quick trips to stores or when he was fussing and wanted out of the stroller. While it kept my hands free and was easy to put on, I found it strained my shoulder quite a bit and decided to stop using it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv5VxvqFoCYXgA9tvArYlleqgruwqRGRBGHp4Lr7IexxtC8eS_hm_WymX3lIoJIcACEDkiJppFyAp3YL8v5nHG3tQ1XzdxbHlAqsZwF00fNrG4lzV4qMHv9-r3Pr2tWtpwpXOGJVWvHM/s1600/IMG_2450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivv5VxvqFoCYXgA9tvArYlleqgruwqRGRBGHp4Lr7IexxtC8eS_hm_WymX3lIoJIcACEDkiJppFyAp3YL8v5nHG3tQ1XzdxbHlAqsZwF00fNrG4lzV4qMHv9-r3Pr2tWtpwpXOGJVWvHM/s320/IMG_2450.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristen snoozing from a walk, me imitating her.<br />
I would NOT recommend outward-facing carrying.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I found out I was expecting my second, The Britax carrier came out and I got really excited. I had heard that the Baby Bjorn was not the most comfortable due to insufficient lumbar support and spreading of the weight across larger portions of the wearer's body, like the shoulders and back. Britax addressed all of that and I was so excited to find a brand new one <i>including</i> the toddler insert for a fantastic price on Kijiji.<br />
<br />
I used both the Moby and Britax with my second. Moby was during the infant months, Britax from about 4 months onward. It allowed me to breastfeed almost arms-free while I spent time with my toddler. We could read together, takes walks out, and I could do chores (hehe, if I wanted to!).<br />
<br />
I learned about hip dysplasia not long after and decided I wasn't going to have my child outward-facing. I continued to use the Britax but would have Kristen facing inward, which she didn't appreciate as she wanted to look around. That was difficult to do with the padded structure of the Britax.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL4EFGXms9JEBtTxNPnRRYIgv4DNL3oxCqH6Ns-kXF4pyJ_bRr5Lq2-Uc1bM4lQUoO70idJh8dI6uk3UEr3mJHR8E4vXR6PyBj7freHHvKKUtHnEEGgZVeY_kLWqTtA3tK97m-VsZ7tI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-13+at+9.56.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL4EFGXms9JEBtTxNPnRRYIgv4DNL3oxCqH6Ns-kXF4pyJ_bRr5Lq2-Uc1bM4lQUoO70idJh8dI6uk3UEr3mJHR8E4vXR6PyBj7freHHvKKUtHnEEGgZVeY_kLWqTtA3tK97m-VsZ7tI/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-05-13+at+9.56.26+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theportablebaby.com/carrierfeatures.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">http://theportablebaby.com/carrierfeatures.html</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQdJblHeEs05Eu0vS4SA4QNBtZ1AsDcawiUR1Ig74jGegRjDvd_hHYKMPIe79187FNM6qKe27RN7pu8YhLu5N9D2v5_LnQ4m3UaW0CWsVUGD0tYHrgUZaKTw4wyP4sXii16NsHW8vJHk/s1600/IMG_6563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQdJblHeEs05Eu0vS4SA4QNBtZ1AsDcawiUR1Ig74jGegRjDvd_hHYKMPIe79187FNM6qKe27RN7pu8YhLu5N9D2v5_LnQ4m3UaW0CWsVUGD0tYHrgUZaKTw4wyP4sXii16NsHW8vJHk/s320/IMG_6563.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristen in a standard-sized Tula.</td></tr>
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I didn't start looking into other carrier options until my second child was about 18 months and thought about the possibility of walking with her to pick up my eldest from school. I knew I'd need something more comfortable and, even better, could do a back carry. I came across the Tula, along with the Beco and others, and decided on the Tula for the possibility of carrying my eldest in it as well, since it has a larger panel than most.<br />
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I got the Tula, I loved the Tula, still love the Tula, but once I found out I was pregnant with my third, realized that I may need to somehow juggle three - <i>three!! - </i>kids at the same time and it would be great if I could wear the younger two and hold the older one's hand. I could get another Tula but they aren't recommended until an infant is 8 lbs and may still require an insert because infants are tiny and, as mentioned, Tula panels are large. Ideally a child's position will have the knees higher than the bum, but with a large panel and small legs, the legs will just stick straight out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tula sleepy dust!<br />I put the hood up afterwards to hold her head.</td></tr>
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I saw a picture of a friend on Facebook wearing both her kids with wraps, a newborn and her toddler. I was in awe and completely intrigued. They looked so comfortable and happy. And so snuggly! But I didn't really consider wraps until I heard more moms recommending them in Facebook parenting groups. I finally took the plunge and goodness, is there a LOT to learn!<br />
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It's not only about how to use them, but once you start, everyone has different preferences, and there are a plethora of wraps available to meet everyone's preferences, no matter how nuanced. From thickness/thinness, breathability in summers to warmth in winter, grip to slipperiness, bounce/stretch to very little give... and all of those are put in consideration with who is wearing AND who is being worn. I'll describe more in the the dedicated wraps post, but carrying a newborn is different from a 6-month-old, which is different from a 1-yr-old, which is different from a toddler/walker, which is different from a preschooler (yes, you can carry preschoolers!). More support is needed with more weight, but walking kids may end up being in and out of wraps requiring quick ups/downs and even better, pre-tying. All of these are affected by the different weaves and fabric blends available along with what size is used.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrying Derek in my first attempt at a ruck carry with a <br />size 3 Didymos ETHI (Emerald Turquoise Hemp Indio).<br />Note: The right shows how inexperienced I am as his "seat" is coming undone!</td></tr>
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With all that consideration comes the many brands offered, just like baby food - or say, buying gardening tools, or power tools. Each brand has their reason for distinction, as well as varying price tags. I've chosen to stick with Didymos, mainly because I love their patterns and colours and they aren't as expensive as some other brands. I know if I start dipping into other brands I'll be racking up wraps like crazy!<br />
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So that's it for now. I'll try to put up a stash shot of my carriers* and wraps for reference. =) Stay tuned for my next post on healthy baby wearing!<br />
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*If they aren't sold firstMrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-15495940753253931032015-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-26T08:52:27.353-05:00People Actually DO Read My Blog!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, okay, that's just a pure Yay Me I'm So Awesome annoying title, but I just wanted to say thanks to those who read, even the blips that you do (according to the stats I see, more than half my visitors linger for 20 second or less). Of course, I much more appreciate those who have actually read the posts and I've received a few replies about the last post on perfectionism. I hope it's helped some people out to at least consider what their stumbling blocks might be and know that there is help out there, there's nothing <i>wrong</i> with you, you just need to understand how you're wired and how to deal with it. I mean, isn't that what we do with other people - co-workers, family members, friends, our kids? We get to know what makes them tick and what triggers them and work with who they are.<br />
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The issue may be that it takes some pride-swallowing to admit we may not know everything about ourselves, and that talking to a professional may be warranted. I've seen this happen in physical ailments as well. It wasn't until I hurt a lot from my first pregnancy that I saw professional treatment as an important part of my health so I don't suffer further pain. It may not erase it, but if I have access to help, why not use it so I can be a better version of myself?<br />
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So after this first session (next week is my next one), I've felt less guilty, even tho I haven't done more. I'm not saying I feel great, but I do feel less of a weight on my shoulders, and that may be my first step towards being better.<br />
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On a separate note, no one voted on what song Derek came home singing! Ah well, I'll unleash this earworm onto you all anyway. May this enhance your groove this Monday, even as you roll your eyes to this cheesy 90s hit.<br />
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CAVEAT!! I'm posting the original video, which is fairly...well, there is a lot of flesh being flashed. But that's the juxtaposition for me when I hear the chorus of this song coming out of my 4-year-old's mouth! I know it was used in Madagascar but for me, this was a song which encouraged raunchiness, misogyny and just plain rudeness. For a deeper Monday thought, have you considered how you will be exposing your children to the lyrical content and intent of songs they hear?<br />
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<br />Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-64794655748071889712015-01-22T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-22T08:00:07.860-05:00Wanting, But Not Getting, Things DoneI thought I was just a procrastinator. I can usually pull off things at the last minute and still do a satisfactory job. Or, I stay up late (like I am right now - it's 3:20am) and suffer the consequences in the morning. Yeah, not the coolest way to live.<br />
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Especially as a mom! There are so many things to do (like my kid's lunch... dang, just realized I forgot that!!) and procrastinating just makes it worse. And these are things that I want to do. I mean, I don't love doing chores but I like seeing things completed and done well. And yet I put things off, filling my time with Facebook and Huff posts and whatever Buzzfeed is feeding me that day.<br />
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In November I hit a low. I realize now that it was a combination of less help (my mother-in-law was on vacation and she usually watches my older one for a night or two a week - so helpful!), the mundane routine due to less flexibility in the schedule, the increasingly shorter days and colder weather, and hormones getting into the mix. We confirmed in December that we're pregnant with our third - yay chaos!! - and I'm sure the cocktail of chemicals let loose did not help me.<br />
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I realized I needed help. Not hire-a-maid help, which would definitely be helpful, but something inside of me felt broken and needed fixing. I pondered throughout December and decided in January that I would go seek counselling. I've done so before when I hit a wall during my studies at Tyndale and it helped a lot to have a third party to talk to.<br />
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I am so glad I decided to go. I've had my first appointment already and tearily vented my frustration with being unproductive, overwhelmed, depressed, wanting relief, wondering why I couldn't just get things done, wondering why I was always escaping. What the counsellor suggested is that I might be a perfectionist.<br />
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What?? But aren't perfectionists people who get things <i>done??</i> If you walk through the current state of my home, I am nowhere near that. However, it's my need for wanting things "just so" which keeps me from starting sometimes. I'd rather fail at starting than fail at the project or task itself. Reflecting on that statement, it's so true that I have to laugh at how silly it sounds, and yet it really is a problem, especially when, as a parent, there are so many things that need to get done, never mind started!!<br />
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I just wanted to share this because i'm sure there are many parents out there who are perfectionists. I hope to share more of my journey with you so you know that you're not alone and that you're not messed up. You just need to understand how your wired and work it out to your advantage. I tackled being wired as an introvert during my first maternity leave and that was so liberating. I can't wait to see what I learn about perfectionism and how I can get unstuck!<br />
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I've yet to have my second appointment but in the mean time, I've been recommended to read <u>Never Good Enough</u> by Monica Ramirez Basod. It's available on bookoutlets.ca for a very discounted price and if you pick up a few other books for your kids, the shipping is worth the cost.<br />
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So that explains a bit as to why my posts are few and far between. Not excusing, just explaining. I wait for the perfect time, the perfect mindset, the perfect topic, yadda yadda... right now, I just yelled "Carpe diem!" - well, really, "Carpe noctem!", considering the hour - and really, yelled in my head, since the kids are asleep - and just started typing this post. I'm proud of myself for getting this out. I'm not proud of myself for procrastinating on the night's chores and getting less sleep for the 3rd night in a row, but let's try to stay on the positive side of things, eh?<br />
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And how, to check off another item on my list and make my kid's lunch. =) Better late tonight than rushed tomorrow!Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-37315208178185759572015-01-14T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-14T08:07:30.514-05:00The All-important...First PostWell, not really my first post. I was tinkering around on Wordpress (and have been for 8 months - that's how undecided I am!!) and am 95% sure I'll stick with Blogspot. I like the overall flexibility and will just have to learn some html to clean things up. If anyone wants to be my volunteer sidekick for this position, let me know!<br />
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So below is my first (and only) post from the Wordpress site, which is/was called <a href="http://zombietomomme.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Zombie to Mom-Me</a>. I wanted to originally focus on hair and makeup things that I do to go from blah to... well, less blah, haha. Buuuut... I'm feeling the pressure of being a how-to site and lately, I've been going through feelings of depression and inadequacy. I just started seeing a counsellor to deal with these things - yesterday's first meet was really helpful! - so I may be able to actually post up some real how-to's. Or at least what-I-do's. Maybe that's what I'll call them!<br />
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This means this blog will change as well. As much as I want to be that cool person with all the helpful hints (which I truly believe is in there somewhere), I need to just be the person who's willing to speak up first. Hopefully along the way you'll find some coolness. Either way, I'd love to hear from you, comments or email. Yes, I'm asking for encouragement! Just hearing from someone is wonderful, so long as you aren't mean. If you're being mean, move on out. Please. With a very nice cherry on top. =D<br />
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Here we go...<br />
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Yay! Welcome to my blog! It's gonna be great! It's gonna be fun! We're going to have a baby-wonderful time! Or a mommy-wonderful time! Or a me-wonderful time! I'll fill you in on tons of tips and tricks to be the most amazeballs mom you can be with the posts of my amazeballs ideas and moments.</div>
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In between, however, I'll be posting about the days I don't want to get out of bed, or I'd like to quietly exit the front door while my kids are eating lunch and make a run for it*, or I'd spend too much time on Facebook (is that every day?), or I'm perusing the take-out menus - again! - yet begrudgingly put them back, or I'm staring at the week-old crumbs under the table (yep, you read that right, week-old).</div>
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You'll more likely get the latter rather than the former, but as I've read somewhere, our lives are not to be made of the mountain-highs but of the valley-mundane activities that allow us to have and appreciate the mountain-highs. This is why I've created this blog, to remind me to treasure both. If it helps others be a bit more cheerful, if only because they commiserate (or perhaps they're laughing <em style="font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">at</em> me instead?), then that's a great side bonus. I've delayed the start of this blog because I've wondered too much about what kind of readers I'd like to attract and what will bring up stats on my blog. I'm doing this for me, and if you'd like to join, you're very much welcome! Even if you're laughing at me, so long as you give me a virtual hug while doing so. Judgey Judgersons and Wet Blankets can move on to the next amaze-balls blog and boost their numbers instead.</div>
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And so this is it, the end of the all-important First Post. Tune in for the next post where I share a bit more about who I am. May it not sending you running away and have you hanging around for at least one more post. =)</div>
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<em style="font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">*Of course this is said in fun; please don't take this seriously and call CAS on me! You'll come to find I'm one of the most paranoid moms out there regarding my kids and would never, ever, leave them unattended. </em></div>Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-29325650446088168202015-01-13T17:47:00.000-05:002015-01-14T17:11:03.226-05:00Kids sing the darndest things...So Derek was picked up by Grandma today and as he waltzed (stomped) through the door in his dancing shoes (snow-covered boots), he was singing a song that hearkened back to my high school days. The nineties. A song I relate to x-nayed gyrations encouraged at the 4-room school dance that was one of Bayview Secondary's finest nights.<br />
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For fun, I invite you to pick what song he was happily grooving to. Just try to imagine him with any of these songs without laughing. I dare you. Dare you!!<br />
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I'm trying to set up the poll within this post, but in the mean time, please check it out in the right menu!<br />
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*update* No one's voted! 29 visits and not one vote! Please look to the menu on the right, towards the top. I would love to see what other people imagined my 4-year-old to be singing!<br />
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Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-56007883995065543462014-07-02T12:20:00.000-04:002014-07-02T12:20:44.507-04:00Adventures in Potty Training! - Aft and Eve Day 1We weren't sure how his nap was going to go, whether he'd end up sleeping at all even. Thankfully he ended up sleeping for 2.5 hrs! These days it's usually around 1.5-2 hrs so this was a <i>really</i> good nap. =D <br />
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Unfortunately, Derek wasn't too happy <i>after</i> his nap. He had a wet spot on the edge of the bed, wet through his shorts. He really wanted a diaper and fought sitting on the potty but we eventually worked it out. Whiny about playing, whiny about snacking, then settled down while I went to wash his poopy underwear.<br />
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While Benny bathed him, he actually said "Potty!" and was okay with being lifted out of the bath to sit on the regular toilet seat. Oh, I should mention, we're not using any potty chair although we used to, we're using a potty seat which is put on top of the regular toilet seat. We took advice from the Baby Whisperer who says that since rarely do we come across a mini toilet, why train on one? They'll need to get used to using the regular ones.<br />
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So far his weakness is in pulling his underwear down on his own and falling asleep. For the latter, I think he's too aware of making sure he goes to the potty so it keeps him up. It took him awhile to go down for his nap and for night time, even though we started the bed time routine at 9:15pm (we're behind today!), he only just fell asleep at midnight. =( We think he may have to poop but we're not leaving him to do so by himself and he's not comfortable yet on the seat.<br />
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We'll have to wait till tomorrow to see what happens! We still have to do the night time wake up; hopefully he'll go to sleep easily enough after that. =SMrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-54751232447221714882014-03-20T08:00:00.000-04:002014-03-20T08:00:00.723-04:00Reining in all those clothes!!I wish I was talking about my own clothes! Well, those need organizing as well but not to the extent my kids' clothes do. Since we're still considering having a 3rd kid, we're holding on to Derek and Kristen's old stuff but it's so hard to keep track of what is where.<br />
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** By the way, hello and thanks for checking in even though I have written in 3 months! Still catching my breath from the move - renting throws a whole other variable to the what-furniture-to-buy when under tight budget constraints, which puts askew what-goes-where, so we're still living with boxes - but I'm trying to gain traction again. Much has been going on in my head that I want to share and I can't wait! **<br />
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I originally bought these grey cloth storage thingies and thought they were the awesomest things ever. They're pretty spacious and....and...<i>and!!.. </i>they come with dividers. <i>Dividers.</i> I love dividers. Helps me find things. Bags with just one compartment throw me off because they're like cavernous mouths that swallow up my stuff. Dividers at least make the mouths smaller.<br />
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Anyhoo, I found out during the move that they aren't that great. We have to be gentle with them as the handles were tearing off, and I can't really see what's inside. Yes, there are windows but I have to position them a certain way in order to view them.<br />
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I've decided then to use plastic bins. I was advised by a professional organizer to get ones with straight sides so that there isn't wasted space when putting them away but I've barely had time to get the bins, never mind be uber picky. I happened to be at Target last weekend, looked at the bins and decided to go with ones which allow me to stack well. The lids allow the bottoms to nestle in and not slide around.<br />
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Since we're still adjusting to the budget of not living in a condo and have had other purchases due to the move (the Expedit cube is my new furniture fave, which I'll possibly write about in another post), I'm only going to buy a few at a time. The first ones I bought are 3 of the 60L size and a shallow one with the same perimeter dimensions. I've started unpacking 2 grey thingies but realize I need to open up the others to see what goes in which bin. Yeah yeah, I'm a perfectionist, but I'll breathe easier once it's done. =)<br />
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In conjunction with this rearranging is my desire to inventory the clothes. Yep, I want to know exactly what baby and kid clothes I have, or at least how many of what, if not down to the colour and fabric (kidding! I don't have that much time!). I looked up any clothing inventory templates and surprisingly found very few offerings. I thought if there are tons on organizing chores and such, surely there would be a good handful on clothing inventory!<br />
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So, I decided to make my own, which is what I ended spending most of today on. I'll use these while I unpack the grey thingies and keep the sheets in a binder for easy reference for when people want to borrow things or if we have that craziness called a 3rd kid. =D<br />
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Here's a pic of my day's efforts, done in between meals and light cooking and nursing to sleep and consoling a clingy kid. Not bragging, just saying that you shouldn't expect much! At least it's useable and nice to look at. I'm hoping to make it a bit prettier and eventually purchasable on Etsy. If you're interested in a rough version tho, I'll be happy to send a copy to the first 10 people who comment!<br />
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<br />Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-1342454053318335562014-01-06T08:30:00.000-05:002014-01-07T17:03:18.169-05:00Food ideas for kids! And in other news... we're moving!Don't know about you but December's felt like a lifetime ago and yet I can't believe we're in January. Much has happened and I'm feeling tired, but what keeps me going is the potential for better sleep and thus a more productive, efficient and cleaner home. Right now it's tough to do anything while the kids are sleeping as they are just on the other side of the wall when we're doing dishes. By the end of January, they'll be on another floor and I hope to look at an empty sink every morning!<br />
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What else happened in December? It actually goes a bit back to November when I was trying to get my maternity leave extended. Long story short I spent a month in vain to get another month and then had to scramble a way to get a few hours here and there under my belt to keep my job, but it had to be carefully planned to work around Derek being at Grandma's and Kristen not yet weaned. We also went to look at a few townhouses and semi-detached houses and made a decision within the first week of December, which is incidentally when I went back to work. Eventually we decided that it wasn't worth keeping the job because, as much as I love being a barista and having some kind of life outside of my wonderful family, it wasn't worth hiring a nanny at $14/hr while I made just over $11/hr, never mind the tiredness of a physical job then dealing with the kids.<br />
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<i>Edit</i>: How could I forget about the blackout due to the ice storm? We lost power on Sunday 3:30am, made it through the day (yay for tea lights to warm up baby food!), planned to go to in-laws the next day, bundled up for sleep at night, was woken by a fire alarm at 5am, stayed up until the fire trucks cleared, walked 22 floors down with 2 kids and light luggage, had breakfast at Cora's, then camped at my in-laws until after dinner Christmas eve. Thankfully power came back the morning of the 24th! Most of our fridge contents had to be chucked though, but I did save the lactose-free milk! It was an ice block in our fridge for 2 days defrosting! My quads, however, took about 4 days to return to normal.<br />
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So that's a bit about me going from 2013 to 2014. We'll be moved in by the end of January and the anticipation of a fresh start to organize and clean the home has got me pretty excited! Much packing to be done in the mean time of course. Plus, I just found out that I might have 2 cavities and one looks pretty set in. =S Hopefully that will be dealt with quickly and with little pain.<br />
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As for the part of this post that would be helpful to you, my dear reader, I have stumbled across this truly great post by another blogger for ideas on food to feed the little ones with tips on storing them for quick access. I can't wait to put this in action in my new kitchen! My husband usually handles Derek's food and I'm dealing with Kristen but now that she's eating more solids, I hope to have more prepared so we can have more variety and more healthy options.<br />
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<a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/08/14/real-food-tips-10-recipes-to-freeze-for-school-lunches-which-makes-packing-a-breeze/" target="_blank">Here's the link</a>, and here's a blurb from the post by <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/about/" target="_blank">Lisa Leake</a>:<br />
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<li><span style="line-height: 13px;"><a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/07/23/recipe-whole-wheat-waffles/" target="_blank"><b>Whole-Wheat Pancakes or Waffles.</b></a><br />
We use these to make sandwiches with all sorts of fillings like cream
cheese, jam, cinnamon, raisins, and even peanut butter (or other nut
butters).<br />
<a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/07/23/recipe-whole-wheat-waffles/"><img alt="Waffle Sandwich" class="aligncenter wp-image-10326" data-jpibfi-indexer="5" src="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Waffle-Sandwich1-500x344.jpg" height="310" title="Waffle Sandwich (from 100 Days of Real food) #schoollunches #realfood #waffles" width="450" /></a></span><b><b> <br /> </b></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/10/19/recipe-whole-wheat-spaghetti-and-meatballs/" target="_blank"><b>Spaghetti and Meatballs.</b></a><br />
</b>Our family thinks homemade meatballs are pretty awesome.
Combine them with cooked whole-grain noodles and organic sauce and
freeze them in a jar – you now have yourself a lunch to get excited
about. (See freezing notes above.)<b><br />
<a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/10/19/recipe-whole-wheat-spaghetti-and-meatballs/" rel="attachment wp-att-10327"><img alt="spaghetti and meatballs" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-10327" data-jpibfi-indexer="6" src="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/spag-and-meatballs-400x291.jpg" height="291" title="#schoollunches #realfood #spaghetti" width="400" /></a></b></li>
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Derek loves his waffles so a waffle sandwich will be right up his alley, and I'll finally get to use the waffle-maker Benny got me last year!<br />
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<i><b>How about you?</b> </i>What tips do you have for feeding your kids? Which recipe or suggestion are you eager to try from Lisa's post? What's been your greatest challenge in getting them kids fed?<br />
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<br />Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-51226296969003427182013-12-21T15:44:00.005-05:002013-12-21T15:44:58.937-05:00#NotYourAsianSidekick and MommyingI stumbled upon this interview with Suey Park who wanted to start a conversation about Asian Americans and their struggle with fitting into the Western culture - or to be more ... [dangit, having a mommy-brain moment... that word describing language which is less formal, more conversational... along the lines of "vernacular"... but not that word... ack!!]... well, anyway, a less PC way of describing it could be "Whitewashed: To be or not to be, that is the Asian-American question." (Please don't take me literally, it's not literally "the" question, but a huge one nonetheless).<br />
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I haven't read much more than the interview (click <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2013/12/17/suey-park-asian-american-women-are-notyourasiansidekick/" target="_blank">here</a>) but it made me start thinking about the struggle as a mom to balance between the Western and Eastern cultures. Rice with everything? Speak only Cantonese at home? Bowl hair cuts? Wok rules the kitchen? Those are just a few questions off the top of my head, not necessarily deep/feminist ones or ones which I personally struggle with, but some to get thoughts spinning in your mind hopefully.<br />
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Here's a clip of the interview to wet your interest:<br />
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<span style="font-weight: 700;">What are you saying to those on Twitter who are claiming #NotYourAsianSidekick is generalizing white peoples’ attitudes in particular towards Asian American women?</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-weight: 700;"></span>I think a lot of white people have a visceral reaction to the fact that they belong to a structural whiteness. But I think it shows us something really important, which is that fraction of discomfort is nothing compared to a lifetime of being racialized and put in a subordinate class of people in the U.S., so when it comes to that and I compare the two I really don’t feel bad at all.<br />I also think it’s really ironic that this hashtag was going on for days and that people couldn’t even learn enough to think about what it means to them in their own lives. Immediately I’ve become the cool Asian friend and all of my Facebook friends who thought I was really annoying for talking about racism, my feelings and my eating disorder are somehow now tokenizing me as a successful Asian American woman. I mean, how token is that?</blockquote>
Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-88850317716160460922013-12-05T08:30:00.000-05:002013-12-05T08:30:00.557-05:00When tiredness and frustration get the better of me....... I did what I never thought I'd do: I grabbed my son by the shoulders, shook him a bit and said quietly but fiercely, "Be quiet!!!".<br />
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See, I got my daughter down to sleep and was looking forward to spending some time with my son as we cleaned up his toys. He got all whiny and I was afraid his protestations would wake up his sister. After the usual requests to whisper and be quieter met with more whining, I got frustrated. It was coupled with lack of sleep and lack of productivity due to the two kids' lack of sleeping. Seeing the end of the day coming down, looking forward to just kicking it back, if even for an hour, I let slip the control I've been holding on to for the last 10 hours.<br />
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So I shook my son. Just a bit, but I shook him. And I saw the stunned look on his face. I saw the fear of me creeping in his eyes. And I saw his mouth twist as he said "I want to play with Daddy! I want to play with Daddy!!" - which was essentially saying, he didn't want to be with me anymore.<br />
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That really sucked on all kinds of levels. But I couldn't take time to recover what I lost between us as I had to rush him to our bedroom so his sister wouldn't wake up. Being in a condo with 2 kids with 2 different bed times is tough! It was in vain, though, as she awoke and sat up crying pretty hard.<br />
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And there went my hour of productivity. My hour of kicking back? Well, I didnt' really but I didnt' do anything productive either. I just vegged. Emotionally, I've just been worn out today. But I wanted to take some time to share this experience because I'm sure it happens to more parents than not, and it's not something we talk about. It's not something to be proud of, to lose control, no matter how little and no matter how small the actual action. I wish so much I could rewrite those 5 seconds instead of having to mend the emotional damage between us. Call me oversensitive but I know my son, and I know something was lost when I shook him and shushed him.<br />
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Le sigh. Tomorrow is another day. May it be miles better than this one. =(<br />
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<i><b>How about you? </b></i>Have you done anything you wish you could take back? Was there a moment between you and your child that hit you to the core?Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-64508557785939403262013-11-29T15:33:00.004-05:002013-11-29T15:33:39.671-05:00Keeping track of all that food!I really, really should copy and paste my post content into Gmail before saving here. 20 mins of precious kids-are-napping time gone down the tubes. Anyway, here's my second go.<br />
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One thing I was wary of with Kristen starting solids was keeping track of which food was going to expire when. It's recommended to keep food, while refrigerated, no longer than 3 days <i>including</i> the day the jar was opened or the food was made. Pair that with mommy brain trying to keep track of everything else along with kids deciding to reject different foods on different days and it feels like a constant game of catch up - or toss-out, as it were, with the food, since we kept letting things go past the "baby best before" date. <br />
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I tried to keep on top of the dates with a decent enough tracking system when Derek started solids. I used the Post-It plastic tabs with the date opened or made written with a fine-tipped permanent marker. This was because we had so many around and I wasn't going to return to my office job! Once the jar or container was emptied, the Post-It would go I the fridge ready to be used again. I would mark out the previous day and write a new one, and usually could fit 5-6 dates this way. Once a tab was full it would be tossed.<br />
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We still have some tabs stuck on our fridge, waiting to be used again. Unfortunately they're no longer a la mode in our home as I've found an quicker to do, easier to see, less wasteful method of tracking baby's food. Behold! - the china marker. </div>
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I stumbled upon this method when I wanted to write down the date of when I opened a jar of food but didn't have a marker on hand. I didn't really like the tab system as much anyway. I happened to have a china marker accidentally brought home from work so I used that to scribble on the date on the lid.</div>
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I soon realized that this works well with containers in general and have been marking my left overs too! I love that I can write large enough so items at the back of the fridge can be read, and that I dont' need to create waste with the tabs (or with washi tape, which is another system I read up on).</div>
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I refined my system a bit when it came to labeling frozen food. I would mark when the food was made and when it was frozen (as sometimes it's not the same day, and at least it's clear if it is or not). So M = made when and F = frozen when. M: Nov 26 F: Nov 27 would mean that whatever is in the container was made November 26 and frozen November 27.</div>
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What would I freeze food in? Baby Cubes! I can make 1-2 oz frozen cubes of food ready to be defrosted when meal time came. Pop them out by running the bottom half of the Baby cube under warm-hot water for about 10-20 seconds. WITH THE LID STILL ON, gently squeeze the bottom to see if the frozen cube would pop out. If you don't keep the lid on, be prepared to catch the cube!</div>
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When I haven't finished the frozen food but need the Baby Cubes to store more food, I pop out the cubes as per above then store all the like food with the same date info into a freezing bag, marking all appropriate information on the bag. So on one might read "Chicken puree, M Nov 17 F Nov 17". This allows me to build up my inventory of healthy food for Kristen and also diversify the food portfolio!</div>
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That said, I haven't used this system to its fullest extent. I'm a bit behind in building up my inventory. But thankfully, I don't have to mentally keep track of everything and I'll know I have items on hand to use or take with me. =)<br />
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<i><b>How about you?</b></i> What method do you use to track food? </div>
Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-16409225182566071282013-11-19T11:29:00.000-05:002014-07-02T12:20:04.250-04:002.5 months and we're potty trained! *\0/* *\0/* *\0/* *\0/* *\0/*Okay, that was supposed to be a host of cheer leaders at the end... did anyone get that? You did? *\0/* =D<br />
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If you read my previous posts, you will remember that eons ago we started potty training. Okay, not that long ago but it feels like it, only because we've had fairly good success with everything. Derek has had his accidents, of course, but for the most part he's got it down. Mind you, he's a toddler, so he knows the routine but still needs to be prompted and prodded. Please hold down your wee-wee, please don't touch Mommy with your pee pee hands, flush the toilet first, don't play with the water... We also have to help him on and off the big toilet and pull up his pants - he can't quite grasp how to get it over his little bum yet! Overall though, we've got a potty trained 3-yr-old in our household. *insert image of prancing parents joyfully tossing diapers in the air here*<br />
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Our new experiences are as follows:<br />
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1. Rushing to potty after waking. This sometimes goes as smooth as butter. Other times, he wakes up as if he's being attacked by the potty, blanket-kicking and all.<br />
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2. Remembering when to push fluids and when to stop them (no more 1.5 hrs before nap, 2 hours before bedtime).<br />
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3. Saying every 15 minutes "Let us know if you have to go potty!" and "Remember to keep underwear dry!" and "Let's try to catch the poo-poo today!"<br />
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4. Watching our soap supply deplete much quicker than before.<br />
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5. Potty calls 1.5 hrs after bedtime. =S<br />
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6. Remembering to take him to the washroom before leaving the home, 40 mins after leaving, and before going back home. Can't kick it back and let the diaper do all the work!<br />
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7. Pack extra socks in the <strike>diaper</strike> activity and food bag. Underwear lets pee travel all... the way... down.<br />
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8. Avoiding pee hands. Derek likes to touch our face after holding down his wee-wee. Uncool!<br />
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9. Cheering poop results like it's homecoming.<br />
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10. Exchanging diaper sales for extra laundry washes (but we don't mind!).<br />
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I'm sure there are more but that's enough to give a glimpse. The main issues we ran into were poops in the potty (especially since we kicked off this whole training right after an episode of constipation) and night time nature calls. I'll get into those over the next couple weeks. Feel free to poke and prod me with questions about our experience; it was a bit of a blur so I can't remember things well enough to give a detailed report but questions trigger the memory. =) We were also so busy I forgot to note things down in Derek's journal, which would have detailed things for us.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">How about you? </i> What have you tried for potty training? If you haven't started, what parts are you most wary of? When are you thinking of trying? Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-20598625726422924742013-11-15T23:52:00.001-05:002013-11-15T23:54:05.675-05:00Parents may be in hamster balls too!Wow, so I got almost double the number of visits I usually do with the <a href="http://mommyblahsblahg.blogspot.com/2013/11/i-love-my-singleno-kid-friends-but.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> about the differences of priorities & schedules between single/no-kid people and parents. I started to cheer a bit until... I saw that a good number of people jumped the page, and the average time was pretty low. =S I really hope I didn't offend those of you who are single or don't have kids because the sentiment <i>definitely</i> does not apply to everyone and even if it did, it isn't usually to the extreme of the person who submitted the question.<br />
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What I <i>do</i> hope is that it creates some better understanding to single/no-kid peeps and some relief of guilt to parents. We do want to meet with our friends but we only have so much energy and much of it is depleted by kids and home tasks, forcing us to be much more selective than we ever thought we would or want to be. Some parents are more lax, others are more strict - similar to the different student types one would meet in high school or university.<br />
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Here's something that might help. I'm not saying all parents are introverts but I think there is some overlap in how to interact with those who may seem more unavailable. Even more so with actually introverted parents (like me!). Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-14266294986470842622013-11-14T23:04:00.001-05:002013-11-14T23:05:24.778-05:00I love my single/no-kid friends, but...Just a short post here. I've somehow always been a bit ahead of my friends in stages of life (although they've always had better jobs than me!) but it wasn't until I was married for 5 years and having my first kid that I realized that was why some relationships were strained. I found that my priorities were always a bit different which meant that my time was spent differently, a reality my friends were fairly puzzled by. I wish I handled it better back then but ah well, it's in the past and I didn't fully understand what was going on either.<br />
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For those of you who are experiencing an adjustment with friends who don't have kids, particularly those who are still single, take a look at this "Dear Carolyn" response. Sorry if you have trouble reading it as I didn't have the time to type it up! If you can read it, I hope it helps give you the words, perspective and strength to work on your friendships and make them last. Sadly, I think I'll need to let go (yes, it's been almost a decade and I had thought, until recently, I could resurrect things to "the ways they were") and work on current and new friendships.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">How about you?</i> <i>Are there friends beginning to drift because your schedule and priorities have changed since becoming a parent? Have you had a chance to address it? What have you done to accommodate or gain understanding from your friends?</i>Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-14474722715645305782013-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:002013-11-14T08:00:01.324-05:00It's been a long (long time) - shouldna left you (left you, left you....frikki frikki)That "frikki frikki" was my attempt at transcripting beat boxing, haha. But as Aaliyah says, If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again...."<br />
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I won't try the beat boxing thing again but I will attempt - yet again - to resurrect this blog. I've had loads of ideas for posts but it's been hard to get to them. Since potty training, we've been dealing with our toddler getting up and out of bed for up to 2 hours after we put him to bed. Average is 1.5 hrs. <i>1.5 hours</i>, my dear parents. This means our 8:30 pm bed time, which is already later than preferred, is actually a <i>teaser</i> and we don't get to breathe a sigh of relief till almost 10pm! Moreover, this is after "falling back" for Daylight Savings Time, so we're actually gaining an hour over his previous 11pm clocking out. =X</div>
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And then there's the baby's growth spurts, wonder months, teething and what-have-you. Then there are the things that need to get done - dishes, de-cluttering, unpacking online order arrivals (huge props to parents who bring their kids in-store to buy clothes!!) - and simply being near brain dead once the kids are both finally asleep. I don't have much juice flowing to put pen to paper (words to blog?) nearing midnight!</div>
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Part of it is also performance anxiety. I want my blog to be read! But who wants to read the ramblings of a zombie-like mom who's pretending to be alive and humourous? Especially when that zombie state of mind rears the ugly neurotic head. Was that funny? It was funny before, maybe it isn't now... I changed this paragraph, the funniness level had dropped... Do I reveal this? Will I sound like a horrible mother? Housekeeper? Wife? Will readers move on because I haven't tried enough to catch their attention??</div>
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Thankfully, I've decided not to let my hangups get the best of me, especially after reading an article about the <a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/the-seven-worst-types-of-facebook-statuses-and-how-you-can-avoid-them/story-e6frfro0-1226733359769" target="_blank">worst types of Facebook posts</a>. I actually found nothing really wrong about the types of posts listed. Yeah, they're annoying but who says you have to read them all? Or give them much mind? Or that those people are even out to make you feel insecure by "bragging" about their incredible weekend? Status updates are just that: updates, not mini-entertainment bits for your reading pleasure. If you're that annoyed by someone's posts, I take it you're more annoyed by the person and an assessment of friendship needs to be had.</div>
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On that note, I'll just post what comes to my mind in my life as a mom. I may not have fancy pictures or a sleek interface with cute fonts, I may not always post fantastic tips or have the best review. I do hope, though, that my corner of the Internet world sheds a bit of light on some parent's otherwise rainy day and perchance contribute to the parenting community at some point, simply by being me. If I annoy you, just surf on by to the next blog. It'll sting a bit but I'll be alright. Gosh, you'd think I'd have learned that enough times through high school already!</div>
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Okay, enough with the rambling. I'll wrap up here and work on my next post, which is a general review of our potty training results since September. =D Till then, fellow parent, hug your kids tight and treat yourself to a glass of wine. If you're having chardonnay, please bring some over!</div>
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Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-64949984498253799122013-09-12T08:00:00.000-04:002014-07-02T12:19:31.303-04:00Potty training update is coming!Sorry for keeping you in suspense but as you can imagine, we've been doing a lot of running to the washroom and it's been tough getting anything significant done. The kitchen was in the third ring of chaos until Derek was able to go to Grandma's for a couple nights. We thought that would happen sooner but then realized that Grandma needed training in how to maintain the training, so we used her day off to come over to our place and observe how it works. Consistency is important with training!<br />
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In the meantime, I thought I'd share some tips on how we're tackling baby stinky cloths and toilet-training toddler laundry. Infant poop just ends up every where and stains almost anything it seems. Kristen spit up a lot so I was cleaning milk vomit from her <i>and</i> my clothes. Derek's recent learning is creating lots of stinky clothes but the reusable absorbency sheets we got shouldn't use fabric softener (which generally reduces absorbency of any material). Aaaand he sometimes doesn't get the poopy in the potty, which makes me wish for Kristen's infant poops! =S Those are my issues; these are my solutions!<br />
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1. Buncha Farmer's stain remover. After an initial rinse-off of the poop/milk, rub the stick over the affected area until foam builds up. Rinse out the remover. Repeat until the stain is not very noticeable (I usually only have to do this 2x in total). Rub and foam one more time as a leave-in for the actual wash.<br />
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2. Baking Soda. I soak smelly baby cloths in the sink with a liberal dusting of baking soda and enough cold water for me to swish the cloths around in. I use baking soda in the "bleach" compartment of every wash cycle EXCEPT when I'm using vinegar for items that don't recommend fabric softener. Let's not explode the budget-unfriendly washer!<br />
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3. Vinegar rinse* before washing for anything particularly smelly.<br />
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<i><b>How about you?</b></i> What tricks do you have for removing stains and smells? What have you "lived with" because you couldn't find a workable solution? <br />
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*<i>I've read recently that vinegar may harm the plastic tubing and such in a washer. I don't have any definitive info, just someone posting on a forum thread what their service person told them. Vinegar compounds differ from bleach and it's that composition which is incompatible with the plastic. Others, of course, have been using vinegar rinses in their washers for years and haven't noticed any issues. Just thought I'd note this so you'd be aware of the health of your washer!</i>Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-9658101157778104532013-08-31T16:50:00.000-04:002013-08-31T23:22:54.140-04:00Adventures in Potty Training! - Morning Day 1We got through it! 4 wet pairs and 1 pooed pair later, we're at nap time. 2 accidents happened after lunch when he was absorbed with colouring, no more than 5 minutes after a previous pee. Quite a bit of pee at that!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 underwear down (1 is in the sink), 20 more to go!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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He caught one pee after being tucked into bed, then tried to huddle into a corner to poop. That was a bit trickier since we usually give him time to poop on his own, although we do try to get him onto the potty when he's more agreeable. We let him have this one in the underwear to show how dirty things get (as per Lora's instruction in her e-book) and yep, we had to clean up his legs since the poop hung low and rubbed against his thighs as we walked to the washroom, and then the toilet seat when he sat down on the potty as we took off his pants. Fun times! Random sharing: It was the Batman underwear that got the poop.<br />
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So far, things are looking positive. I dare not think about the actual reality of being diaper-free, only because it makes me a bit too giddy to be effective! Stoic I must be to get us through the next 2 days. Benny's been really great with the positivity, reminding Derek of what we're aiming for ("Keep the underwear dry!") and not losing his patience. Thankfully, Derek hasn't been terribly whiny - and Benny's had coffee. =D<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He gets a gold star each time he does the action. We'll be giving him a reward after his nap for completing at least one line, which is pretty easy since he will always be sitting on the potty!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-34211119504947104442013-08-31T11:29:00.000-04:002013-08-31T16:50:15.255-04:00Adventures in Potty Training! - PrepSooooooo we've arrived at Potty Training Weekend! How fitting that it's during Labour Day weekend because it will definitely be laborious for us parents. We've decided to try out the <a href="http://www.3daypottytraining.com/" target="_blank">3-day Potty Training by Lora Jensen</a>. Sounds intense but I figure go big or go home. We (well, I) decided to download her e-book as an investment to at least help us wrap our minds around this training, even if we don't use her particular method. I'm fairly convinced it will work, although we have a few factors working against us:<br />
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1. Derek had a major constipation problem that resolved only 2 days (Thurs) before our training day.<br />
We're concerned that his system may be thrown off by this recent bout and it may be another obstacle to deal with.<br />
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2. He stayed up really late the night before The Big One came out (Wed night).<br />
He didn't go to bed will 12:30am because he kept bouncing out to go potty. He was trying sometimes and with his system so backed up, we couldn't ignore his "Potty!" calls. Since then he's hopped out of bed for the littlest things, which he's never done before, making nap times and bed times rougher than usual.<br />
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3. As a result, he's also sleep-deprived. =S<br />
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4. He had white carbs for dinner last night.<br />
He gets constipated with white carbs so we've switched everything to whole wheat. We had pizza with neighbours and I didn't realize that the pie we requested for him wasn't whole wheat! Benny usually handles his meal but was delayed at work so I was juggling Kristen and Derek and totally missed the non-whole wheat crust. Boo me! So Restoralax this morning to pre-emptively keep him regular.<br />
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5. We haven't wet-proofed his play area.<br />
Given the irregular nights we've been having because of his constipation, our plans to take out the foam mats and replace them with a rug got derailed. Why no mats? Because cleaning them is a pain and a half, and there are connecting pieces between the squares, and debris underneath.... so we'll have to do that this morning. <i>Speaking of which, we just finished the switch! Pictures up <strike>soon.</strike> =)</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foam mats cleared out!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rugs in!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek misunderstanding and bringing out his bucket of trains to go with his tracks that we put on the sofa during the transition. =P</td></tr>
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These are the things we <i>have</i> done in preparation:<br />
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1. Buy and wash underwear - 25 pairs!<br />
2. Buy and wash extra pajamas.<br />
3. Fit mattress with absorbent Brolly sheets (<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">http://www.brollysheets.com/;</span> review of these to come after potty training!).<br />
4. Print Thomas potty training reward chart.<br />
5. Figure out which rewards to give when (almost all trains!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Brolly sheet on, red and green sheets waiting on the sidelines.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Aaaaand time's up. Kristen needs to nap. Benny's about to change Derek out of his last diaper. Wish us luck!<br />
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<br />Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075396336498889573.post-2390694065811566962013-08-25T16:30:00.000-04:002013-08-25T16:30:40.017-04:00For seriously sleep-deprived parents...<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">... here is a great post by someone on FaceBook (Laura W.) with information on how to get assistance with your baby so you can get more sleep.</span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We need sleep to function and there's a lot depending on a new mother in the first few days, weeks and months postpartum. Getting that sleep is always this issue, especially for those who do not have family nearby or friends able to help out. Depression and anxiety is around the corner for the sleep-deprived but there are programs to help us get us (a bit more) on track.</span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've simply cut and pasted this here rather than re-writing everything. I wish this was more widely available so that I could make use of it myself but I know my situation isn't a bad one - if anything, it's pretty good, I just want more sleep in general!</span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Please forward this information</span> to anyone you know, particularly those who are pregnant, especially with their first, or have given birth within the last 3 months. They'll need this program the most!</span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><i>I
just wanted to post and let the ladies know about a program for those
who may need it. In York R</i>e<i>gion, it's called '<span style="color: #e69138;">Five Days, Five Nights</span>'. I
know that Toronto also offers this program as well. If you are
suffering from anxiety, depression etc. or if you have previously
experienced PPD/PPA/PPOCD, etc., <span style="color: #e69138;">speak to your Dr. or Midwife about this
program</span>. <br /> <br /> You can stay in the hospital for five days and
five nights to be monitored and to have some *sleep*. The studies show
that if you are sleep deprived, isolated and without support, the postpartum time can be extremely difficult. <span style="color: #e69138;">With sleep, going home
doesn't seem as daunting and overwhelming</span> - and in those first few
days, it is so important for a new mother to be rested and know that
she's alright.<br /> <br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> <span style="color: #e69138;">Also, if you
need it, a nurse with Public Health will follow you, come to your home
to check up on you and baby and make sure you're doing ok.</span> They can meet
you outside the house and help you with 'getting out' if you need it. <br /> <br />
There is also a program through Public Health that allows for a
'grandmother' type person to come and hold the baby and entertain an
older sibling if needed so that you can rest, clean, cook etc once a
week for up to two hours.<br /> <br /> <span style="color: #e69138;">Please, speak to your health care
provider if you are feeling anxious, angry, sad, sleepless for 'no
apparent reason' etc. A healthy, happy mom makes great mom</span>. It's a hard time and you don't have to be alone. </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><i><span class="text_exposed_show">In York Region
there is a programme called '<span style="color: #e69138;">Life With a Baby</span>' that organizes get
togethers *daily* if you need to get out and see real life people. <br /> <span style="color: lime;"><br />
Remember, your baby will sleep again</span>... even though you feel like they
will never sleep - especially when you need them to. They will stop
crying. They will eat. Just think - they won't be this little forever...
and the next stage may not be better - just different. <span style="color: lime;"> You are doing a great job. And if you need any help... please don't be fearful to let someone - anyone - know. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="color: magenta;">Big hugs to all the Mammas that need it. </span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></h5>
Mrs Blahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05741617731138176922noreply@blogger.com0