Bazey Mama: July 2013

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Isla's Toy Box : 0-5 Months

The other day Isla and I had a defining moment when she was scooching around her blanket and pushing away all of her toys except for her Skip Hop Owl. She let out the "I'm Bored!" cry and I knew something had to be done. It seemed like overnight she went from loving her "baby toys" to wanting more stimulating toys to play with. I immediately texted my "go-to" Mama friends and asked what they recommended for a 6 month old. Thankfully they came through with flying colors and Isla is enjoying her new (and some 2nd hand) 6-month toys. I decided to blog about what she loved the first five months and then I'll follow up with 6-9 and 10-12. Enjoy!

1: The Baby Einstein Blue Octopus.

They don't sell this guy buy himself but other babies must love him like Isla did because I easily found him on Craigslist and ebay. He comes with the Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Ocean Adventure Play Gym which is also listed below.

ps- I think one of the reasons she loved this guy so much is because that hat is easily mistaken for a large nipple- she's a boob gal :)

2: Jelly Cat Books

These books came with high reccs from many Mommy friends so they were on our initial registry. We have the Puppy Tails book which is super cute. We also have the Bedtime for Baby book which doesn't have tails but it is cloth and has little flaps and squeekies and things. Isla LOVES to manhandle these books and suck on the tails.

3: Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Ocean Adventure Play Gym

Here's the deal with this thing- It's super ugly. The color clash will pretty much throw you into a seizure and it's a total menace on the floor taking up coveted space. I can't tell you how many times I've caught my foot on it and tripped. That being said.....from 3 months to around 6 (she still scoots around on it and loves the big tags on the side) Isla loved this mat and the hanging toys. I took down the plastic toys and put up soft ones. I never used the battery operated turtle thing on the side but the whale was nice when she was learning to prop herself up. She absolutely LOVES that mirror it comes with. She can talk to the baby in that mirror for hours on end :)

4: Remote.

That's right....if you are king or queen of the remote expect that to change asap. At 5 months Isla was all about snagging the remote from us and pushing the buttons. We finally found a little remote to our AC that I removed the batteries from (watch out ! she learned how to pull off the back) and cleaned up for her. I did receive reccs for the One Step Ahead Silly Surfer Remote which I plan to order as soon as she gets sick of her little one. The beauty of the One Step Ahead one is that it looks like a real remote and doesn't have all the annoying (LOUD) noises some of the toy ones have.

5: Board Books (specifically):

Isla loves to be read to (which I love)- she specifically loves Snuggle Puppy because she can put her hand through the cut-out front. I sing the book to her and she listens and hits the pages. It's our little routine. She also LOVES Goodnight Moon which is a must-have. I love On the Night You Were Born and the Dr. Suess books but she's not into them yet. She will literally close the book the Book and try to wiggle away. We'll try again later :)

6: Life Factory Teether

Isla loved these teethers because they're soft. She used the Sophie teether (not the giraffe but the scented hard teether) and wasn't a fan. They are also made in the US and are a green product. I don't have it on the list but Isla LOVES her Sophie also. She's a total necessity!

7: Wubbanub

From the time Isla was brand new she loved the Wubbanub paci. Around 5 months she was over the pacificer and would just hold onto the stuffy. She ended up loving to suck on the legs and giraffe ears more than the paci when she was older. The price is a bit steep for a paci but totally worth it.

8: Bright Starts Sensory Zebra

A friend bought this stroller toy for us and I threw it in the stroller basket not thinking about it much until around 3.5 months when Isla became infatuated with it. She loves the little hanging things-- the bee has little balls that makes noise and she loves to suck on the red apple with sensory bumps. It also has a mirror and she swears that tail is a nipple (like I said- she's a boob gal :)

9: FP Snugabunny Bouncer

As I've blogged about this before....my BFF swore I needed this chair even though floor space is at a premium in our condo. I conceded and I'm SO.FREAKIN.THANKFUL I did. This chair is pure magic. It's the only way I've been able to shower in the last 6 months. In the beginning Isla loved to chat to the birds and I'd hang stroller toys from the top. Now I took off the top piece and stuck it in her toy bin and she just enjoys the chair. If there was only one thing to buy- this would be it!

10: Baby Art Cards

Isla loved these art cards from the time she was really little. She especially loved them when she had more hand control and could hold them in front of her (and try to nibble the corners).

Happy Shopping and Registering :)

xoxo.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

The Best Baby Shower Gifts

Whenever I buy a baby shower gift I always consider the registry first because if someone took the time to register they usually took the time to research the products on their list. Lately, I have also started considering all the items I've had to run out and buy in the first few months or research and buy as Isla gets older.

Here's my list of the best baby shower gifts (that many people forget a new mom needs!) :

#1: Shy away from towels, wash cloths and blankets- a new mom will get a ton of these! I ended up donating what I couldn't exchange.

#2: Buy pajamas in 6, 9 and 12 month sizes. PJ's were the first thing I ran out of early because when Isla was wearing a 3 month size she was wearing 6 month PJs (due to height). I hear this is totally normal! I say stick with any brands excluding Gerber or cheaper, light weight fabric. They shrink too fast. Consider stocking up on PJ's for new mamas!

#3: Look into the best toys for 6, 9 and 12 month olds! I'm now researching toys for my 6 month old because she's bored with all her "baby" toys. I came to realize we really only have one 6 month old toy. More on this later!

#4: Start Baby's Library! Board books are awesome! Look into the board books baby can hold easily by Sandra Boynton (the cover has a cut out and Isla loves putting her hand through it) or Karen Katz. Good Night Moon is a MUST HAVE.

#5- Mealtime accessories: I forgot to register for baby spoons and frozen storage holders and ended up buying them when Isla hit 5.5 months. A fun gift could be a set of bibs, puffs, spoons and the kiddie ice cube trays for freezing puree'd food- or a food cookbook! Put it in a basket or bumbo chair (which Isla sat in to eat before we got her high chair)! Brilliant :)

#6: Look into getting something customized for baby (especially if the new parents know baby's name!) We just got my friend's Daughter the sweetest little tea set for her birthday and customized the box it came in.

#7: If the new Mom is nursing and registered for nursing bras help her out and purchase one. Many older family members feel taboo about buying breastfeeding items. The last thing a new Mom needs is to be running to Target for nursing tanks/bras the first week she's home with her newborn. (Make sure you include the gift receipt just in case she wants to exchange it for a different style. Since new Moms live in these most of the time the little differences in style/color make are important)

#8: A spa gift certificate for the new Mom. My BFF sent me a gift cert before Isla was born to get my nails done because they'd be in so many photos after I had Isla. It was brilliant! A massage gift cert is also perfect for a post-baby relaxation treat.

#9: Consider an Etsy gift card for a tech savvy Mom. There are so many unique baby goodies on Etsy.
I LOVE the changing pad cover I got on etsy and the Mary Oliver print that hangs in Isla's nursery is still one of my favorites.

#10: Make a coupon book for a good friend. This could include the gift of a meal post-baby, babysitting service, house cleaning (remember green products!) or a Happy Hour date (on a date of the new Mom's choosing :)

What is your go-to baby shower gift?

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

#6: Genius Momvice

As many of you know we live in a condo that makes me crazy half the time. Space is at a premium! I decided when Isla hit the 6.month mark it was time to go through her clothes and rework some of our most used spaces. This turned out to be a lifesaver for me! Not only did I donate a ton of great stuff but I changed up spaced that needed to be functional which got cluttered in 6months. When I was setting up the nursery I didn't really know what "flow" I would need it to be in since I was a first time Mom. With 6 months under my belt I had a much better idea of how I needed it to be laid out to run like a well-oiled machine!

I highly recommend re-evaluating your space every 6 months just to make it more efficient. I guarantee clutter has crept in. You will feel so much more liberated after reworking your baby space!

I had jammed her brush, aspirator and lotion into the side of her changing table. It was a cluttery- eye sore. I ended up taking a basket holding barrettes from her changing table drawer (it took up too much room anyways) and putting it on her nightstand full of daily items like vaseline, diaper creams, aspirator, brush, etc. It made my space more efficient and no one sees it when they walk in!

I had the cloth diapers in the top with hats and headbands- it didn't make sense. I made her top drawer all diapers and that sock basket. Much more efficient!

We donated 2 bags of clothes, her newborn tub and a couple bath items I didn't need. It felt good to pay it forward to another Mama who needed it :)

I ended up finding a fishbowl vase under my sink and filling it with her bows and headbands and putting it in the bathroom. Isla loves sitting on the counter and looking in the mirror while I put back her crazy hair in the morning.

Good Luck getting your space in top shape!

xo-
S

Milestone: Solids!

We started I.Baby on pureed solids about a week ago! I finally got to dig out all of my "feeding Isla solids" supplies and get to work!

I am terribly in love with the Beaba- I'll do a full review and post a couple recipes on it later. To start out literally all you do is clean whatever you're cooking, cut it up and throw it in for the Beaba to steam and then for you to puree. SO EASY! I texted my girls just to make sure I did it right. Ha! I did Isla's sweet potatoes as she was going into a meltdown in the evening. I could start them and tend to her without even getting stressed- such a Mommy Lifesaver!

A girlfriend bought me the ice cube trays with lids and they worked great!

I love the bib we got for her too! I know when she can have more snacky treats it'll be perfect. Right now she likes to keep the spoon she plays with during mealtime in there just in case a 2nd spoon is needed for any reason :)

I'll follow up on my review on the Squirt Spoon and Beaba tray. I have yet to use them. I also can't wait to review Isla's high chair!! We've only had it a couple days so I'm not feeling like we've bonded enough yet- but soon!

Miss I didn't love avocados- in fact she did quite a lot of gagging so we did 3 days of them and moved on to sweet potatoes which she tolerates. I'll work the avocados in again. I can't wait to get to the sweet fruits - she'll love those!

I still plan to do the baby lead weaning method but she was getting into our plates and really likes sitting up at the table in her high chair. It was time to start something and purees work for now until she can sit unassisted and feed herself comfortably.

I mean could she be any prouder? :)

xo- S

Mama Hero

Hi Friends!

I'm still alive (barely).... I'm literally running on an americano (I've limited myself to one tall- it's so damn depressing :( boo!) and vitamin D intake from the last couple weeks of perfect weather (thank you Seattle!)

Isla's still not sleeping- she's up every 1.5-2 hours crying. I think it's a mix of indigestion stuff and some major teething. We had a friend say that when his Daughter got her baby teeth it was like going back to the newborn phase again and that's pretty much what it feels like- but worse! I'm hoping that's it! We go see the Pediatrician on Tuesday so hopefully I'll get some more insight next week.

I had to write and say....DID YOU SEE KATE MIDDLETON? (ok, I know....who didn't?!!)

but seriously....she's my new mama hero....heels 24 hours after a 10 hr. labor. Just please.

I know that she probably had a fabulous shower (not the one in my post partum room....it was reminiscent of a cruise ship bathroom....more like an all-in-one toilet/sink/shower combo) and a stylist there to do her hair and make up but seriously....any mama out there has got to say , "damn girl, good work!" I can't imagine knowing that within 24 hours of having a baby I'd have to get up and present him to the world. Hello overwhelming!

What I love about her most is that she didn't try to disguise that she still had a bump...she owned it and looked so proud and glowing. It made my heart smile :)

So welcome little Prince G (I am having a hard time wrapping my mind how to call a tiny baby George :) The world was definitely watching :)

xoxo.
S

Friday, July 19, 2013

Creature of the Night

If you read my personal blog- this is a duplicate- YES, I'M THAT DESPERATE :)

~

Hi Friends-

This post is a bit of a plea ... The last month and a half Isla has gone from sleeping 6-7 hours (sometimes 8) straight to waking up multiple times in the night. At first it started with an earlier bedtime and one wake-up which made sense but now she's waking up multiple times and is really fussy at night. She goes down around 9:30 or 10:00 and is up within 2-3 hours wanting to eat and is always very fussy but tired. I can usually nurse her and get her back down. The problem is that she continues to wake up every 2-3 hours throughout the night and ends up in bed with me so I can feed her and try to sleep. This week I've had to get up and rock her in the middle of the night. When I got up twice last night and almost fell over with her in my arms at 3:30am I decided it was time to plea for advice and help. I know babies do this and shake up their schedules (especially when they're teething- which she always seems to have symptoms of) but is there something I'm missing? Any advice- good or bad- is appreciate :)

TY-
Sleepless in Seattle (or Kirkland to be more precise)

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Happy.HALF.Birthday

Happy 6.month Birthday to the Little Lady who stole our hearts!

You are our best work Isla James- Daddy and I are head over heels in love with every square inch of you :) We can't wait to see what the next 6.months bring...

forever yours,

Mommy&Daddy

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Combi

I should have known.....when Isla woke up crying at 3:15 in the A.freakin.M, was soaked through her diaper and PJ's and was ravenously hungry.... I just should have known.

When I got the text at 8:00 that my play date cancelled because she caught the same sniffly-miserable cold we just had....I should have known....

and when I raised my clogged head out of bed at 9:15 and decided to finally get up I should have known that odd feeling that something just wasn't right was legit.

Yep.....my lifeline.
Isla's Chariot.
The one piece of engineering finery that keeps me sane with our one vehicle policy (which is usually occupied by hubby going to work) was MIA.

That's right folks....hubby rode off to the office this morning with not only the ergo held hostage in our SUV but also my stroller.

GAHHHHHHH- NOOOOOOO!!!!!

Around 12:30- after I realized Isla needed a shower to get all the milk she spit up into her neck fold (you know...that lovely baby fat roll under their chin) out (that's real) and she was losing her patience and kicking furiously on her blanket while I watched the end of Harrison Ford circa '93 in The Fugitive (which made me feel SO OLD because Harrison looks like quite a 'spring chicken') I realized there was no way I was going to make it locked in the house with a whining 5.month old and a demanding terrier all day.

NO WAY.

By 1:00 I decided to get brave and carry Isla to Starbucks. She had the time of her life being carried around like she was the next heir to the throne and I tried to make it fun by pointing out "grass"--"oh look, it's green" but by the time my soy mocha arrived I was ready for them to make it "Irish" (if you know what I mean).

Thankfully my savior came in the form of my neighbor from our building who I ran into at Starbucks. When she came up to see how much Isla's grown in a week (she's an older Grandma type and obviously thinks things like this are fascinating :) and saw me lugging her around without my usual baby carrier she inquired and offered her umbrella stroller that she had for her grandkids.

THANK THE LORD!

For all the times I've avoided my neighbors or hid out looking busy gathering garbage in the car so I could avoid a conversation about 'stagnant air in the building' or 'the unsightly industrial shelves they put in the foyer' I thanked my lucky stars that I took the time to step out of my comfort zone and make friends with Sharon, my Kathi, Terri, Brian & Katie down the hall .... all of these neighbors of ours who love to see us strolling around.... who watch Isla grow and see more of me than some of our family does. On days like today.....this neighbor of mine was the direct reason my sanity was retained.

So thank you Sharon- you made my day.

....and yes, Isla and I strolled in the Combi with style. She even decided to nap- which is another miracle in itself. I wouldn't go so far as to say I recommend this stroller- it's a bit of a rickety ride but it got the job done and the girl seemed to enjoy it. For that- I'm so very grateful. (time.for.wine!)

This is a terrible angle but you get the point- I'm obviously thrilled beyond words. combi for life. :)

xo.
S

Boobs

I MUST refer you to read this post by my dear friend, L....if you don't read her blog you should.....Seriously.

She's my daily cup of 100% raw honesty in a tiny-blonde package.

Loved this one L- you took on blogging about breastfeeding like only you can. You did the "girls" proud. :) xoxo.

S

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

"Don't Hassle me, I'm local"

So....I have this ongoing blog about transitioning from a crazy-busy office job to a 100% stay-at-home Mom. It's a beast of a subject and has turned into a maze of issues, revelations, crises and baggage. A big fat rolling duffle of baggage.

I'm convinced I'll never finish it.

Every time I look at it I have to add a couple things....heavy sigh....save it and close. There's just too much to say and with the transition still happening and my own hang-ups with B's work hours and "dedication" (here's where the baggage comes in) I don't know if I'll ever finish it. That being said.....I have to ask if you've heard about (it's all over the news!) and what you think of this new policy for unlimited vacation time. Is it a ploy to instill competition in the workplace to show who works harder (ie: who logs the most hours?) or is it a way for companies to show their employees that they are confident in their skills and work ethic by trusting them to judge when to take a vacation (based on workload) and how much vacation time they need. I heard an NPR convo on this today and was super interested. It's such an interesting concept. What do you think? (ie: I'm still figuring out what I think :)

xoxo.
S

PS-

After writing this and mulling over my own thoughts, this came to mind.....

Gahhhhh! I love What about Bob? :) Classic Bill Murray!

and my favorite? ....

"I'm sailing! I'm sailing! I sail ! I'm a sailor ! I sail !"

Ok. I'm done.

Thrilled

We're SO STINKIN' .......

......to finally tell the blog world that my bestie & Isla's Tia, Ashli is prego with baby #2! We can't wait to meet Baby.Fischer on January 29th and see Gracie as a big sis!

Being a "big sister" myself I can 100% say it's the best of times.
the best of things.
the sweetest, most lovely, most wonderful.

I know Grace will be forever grateful to have a little brother or sister running around beside her (even if she forgets it sometimes- happens to the best of us ;). I can't wait to see her take on her new role :)

and the pictures.....gahhhh....just wait until I get my hands on these munchkins for photos. My heart's gonna melt!

We're so happy for you Fischers- can't wait to see you soon and celebrate baby! We love you little one :)

xoxo.
Auntie S&Isla