I was reflecting on the last 2 years with Addie. They have been a marvelous, all though tough at times. I was thinking of the things, I feel, I have done right or have made my life slightly easier. I started a list making a metal list (in order for the next child - whenever that may be.)
Then I watched a comedy skit that included someone making fun of the opera's favorite things. And I thought, "Oh, that would be fun to do for the blog." So with the new year coming up here are my favorite Mommy things - the Addie edition.
This list does not include obvious things such as diapers ;)
- Jeremy got this idea actually from his older brother, Val. I had no problem with it so I acquired a signing dvd with high reviews. So that while Addie watched I could learn them too. I never expected it to be as useful as it became.
Addie was signing before she was a year old. The first movie (first signs) gave basic signs (eat, drink, milk, etc.) while the second dvd (sharing signs) taught Please, Thank you, share, bath, diaper, all done, etc.)
Instead of whining to get things she wants/needs she is able to tell us and we are able to understand! Definitely something I will continue with our other children. Below is a video of Addie doing some of the signs.
Please excuse the shaky camera work.2. Outlet Shopping/end of season shopping -I actually always did this for myself. I would grab one or two things at the end of season so I would have them for the next year. I did it the first time for Addie because I found this pretty dress I wanted for Addie - but I wanted it on sale. So I would poke my head in the store every once in a while.
Well, it never went on sale but then when I was looking at...well I don't remember... a couple months later and I found the dress. I got it in the size for the next year! The outlets I stumbled upon because we lived 10 mins away from one in Palm Springs.
This was so useful because I would always have clothes for Addie when she grew into the next size. Instead of scrambling for clothes because she grew out of everything.
3. Bumbo - My sister Stephanie got me this for my baby shower. It sounded interesting but I never would have guess how useful it actually became. As most of you know we have moved ALOT and the Bumbo was so useful to us. When addie was just learning to sit up it was especially helpful.
Addie actually has rediscovered this and she takes it around with her and reads her books in them. It is very cute.
4. Storage bins - I ♥ Storage bins. They are amazing and fantastic. You can put them on bookcase, under entry tables, in corners, etc. They are wonderful. If you have a baby you MUST have some. Believe me. They will make your life easier
5. Diaper Champ - I knew I didn't want a diaper genie as soon as I heard you had to buy specific bags. So I planned on just using grocery bags. Then Jeremy called all his sisters for baby register advice. That is when we found out about the diaper champ.
Look at that beautiful tall white canister that keeps the diaper scent from every reaching your nose. Well, except when you have to open it to throw it away...
6. Chicco - I pretty much love everything Chicco. In my opinion, it is worth the extra money because everything seems so well designed for ease and thought through - not to mention sturdy!
When looking for Car seats we had a lady at BabyRUs walk us through the different models and pro's and con's to each. As soon as she told us that Chicco crash test their car seats at 60 instead of 35 like all the other models I was sold. Plus, you can buy one that will last until 30lbs and since Addie was such a light weight it lasted a long time.
7. Itzbeen - The Itzbeen was soooOOOOooooOOOoooo useful. But only in the beginning - but it did help immensely. It keeps track of how long it has been your baby had a diaper change, ate, slept/sleeping, etc. It was nice when I was so tired that I didn't have to guess at what Addie needed.
8. Violet - Leap frog my puppy pal -
I bought this on a fluke. I was doing Christmas/Birthday shopping and found it for a really good price. Addie loves it and carries it to this day. Plus, it is not expensive at all.
9. Teething Tablets - A must when your baby is teething. I don't like taking medicine unless it's necessary and because of that I avoid it when I can with Addie. I didn't like to give Addie Tylenol each time she was in pain and this gave me another option, which I appreciated. It worked wonderful and I like that it is all natural.
10. Sleep Sacs - Addie never stayed swaddled unless you held her. She liked her space I guess. I got sleep sacs for that reason but then it was so easy to change her diaper in them too! (I had the ones with scrunchy bottoms not the zippers to the tops) Much easier than other pjs while she was really young.
---------------------------------------------------
We got so much different advice - Some good, some not so good or even applicable. So here is my top 3 of the Advice I was given.
Favorite Advice:
1. While in the hospital, Sleep!
Jeremy's sister, Andra, has 8 children. So when she gave advice Jeremy listened ;) The advice we got from her was the night you spend in the hospital, sleep. Get a sleeping pill for that night and have them feed the baby. If you are planning on breastfeeding it won't hurt your baby for you to get one/two nights of sleep, especially if you feed him/her all other meals.
You pay for your stay and the nurses help while at the hospital, but most likely you will not have help - or at least alot of help when you go home. And between visitors and adjusting to having a baby (all that that entails) it helps to have a full night sleep after pushing a baby out!
2.Scheduling Advice
So funny story, Jeremy went out of town for a week when Addie was like 6 weeks old. What? That doesn't sound like a funny story? Huh, how bout that. Anyway, this is when I learned all about scheduling. I was so tired, drained, sleepy, fatigued, spent that I needed help. I needed sleep. Addie had her own thing but I never knew when her thing would happen.
So I turned to family and the computer for help. I stumbled upon this lady who had wrote this whole spill on scheduling. I had saved it, but my computer died and I no longer have it. But here is it boiled down:
For 3 days write down when your baby eats and sleeps naturally and for how long. (Thank you itzbeen!) Find the similarities and that is your schedule. Add things, like bath, play, and the like. Then hold your baby to it - i.e. If they wake up 15 min early, it become quiet time.
Now, Be attentive to when your baby has any changes. That most likely is indicating a growth spurt and a possible change in your schedule - like maybe dropping a nap :( or a need for more food. Make minor adjustments and continue!
3. Check for Allergies when colicky
This advice came for my mom. I and some of my siblings had food allergies growing up. So when Addie would start becoming fussy/or out of character I called my mom. She told me the best thing to do was check what I was eating.
She said to start by eliminating an item (milk, tomatoes, etc.) wait a full week. See if there is any improvement. She told me sometimes it could be more than one thing so experiment with it. Make sure you give it enough time to process out of your milk. Then as your baby gets older retry those items. See if their digestive system has matured. I went from sad baby to always (okay not ALWAYS but seriously, a difference) happy baby!
And that is it. I feel like I have written for ever but that is it! My favorite things!
