I can't believe it. Here it is, March 2nd, 2015. A year ago today I was freaking out because I was simultaneously positive that both I'd never have this baby and that the due date was coming up so much faster than we had ever expected. And now, a year later, we're approaching your first birthday. I never thought I'd get to celebrate my own child. What an amazing gift.
So here we are, my long-awaited Mia. On the cusp of another year together. Learning what it means to be a family, how to read each other, and who each of us will be. You've overcome a lot - especially in the past few months, and I continue to be in awe of the incredible things you do each and every day. In the past year, I've learned a lot of about you. I love getting to see who you are becoming. You're incredibly determined. Once you've decided that you're going to do something, you do it. Oftentimes to chase a dog or cat, but, hey, whatever works. You're smart. Super smart. You definitely get that from your dad. You're into everything. You love seeing how things work. You flip every single toy over and look at the back to see what's going on. You love your pets like crazy. You do this insane high-pitched shriek when you see Merlin. It cracks us up. You also love music. I mean, I know all children respond to music, but yours is much deeper. You'll stop whatever it is you're doing and just listen while a song plays. Except for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars. Then you just dance.
I've learned a lot about me, too. I've learned that even though I never in a million years thought I had that "mother's intuition" built into me - I do. It's even helped save your life, and for that I'm incredibly thankful. I've learned that even when I'm in the worst pain imaginable, I find something deep inside of me that keeps going for you. I've learned that while my patience gets thin with others, you always get more from me (even when you're screaming for no reason.) I've learned that I love your father more than I ever thought I could because I see how much he loves you. I've learned that there's little in this world that I would rather do than play on the floor with you and your dad as we play YouTube videos on tv. I've learned that Disney Junior is actually pretty cool.
I've also learned what it means to be scared. Scared of you rolling over because it meant you being in a crib in your room - away from us for the first time at night. Scared of you learning to crawl because it meant a new form of independence that I knew nothing about. Scared for each little step because it meant you might fall. Would I be able to catch you every time? And to be scared as you're hooked up to IVs and constant medication. Seeing you too sick to even lift your head. Too scared to be away from your father or I because you didn't know what was happening. And scared to death that this could all happen again.
But the most important thing I've learned is how much pride and love I have for you, my sweet baby. You're so smart and funny. Your belly laughs when I tickle you are something I hold so deep in my heart it feels like they've left a physical mark there. You're so much like your father, but so much like me too. It's amazing to think you're the same little person who was kicking the stuffing out of me just one year ago today.
I know there are great big things ahead of you. For all of the obstacles you've overcome in such a short time, I know there's this massive plan for you that involves greatness. It can't be measured by what career you'll choose, or what you'll look like. I know it's going to be measured in the things you do for people - the kindness that you'll extend others. The good you'll do in the world. That, my little monkey, is where I know you'll excel.
I can never promise you that I'll be the perfect mother. I'm going to make a lot of mistakes, and it's alright if you point them out to me along the way. I'm still learning. But one thing I can promise you from the bottom of my heart is that I will try every single second to the mother you deserve. A mother who will love you more than you'll ever know. One who leads by example. One that will be there to catch every tear, to hold you close, but let you spread your wings. A mother who will encourage you to dream big and keep your head in the clouds, but one who will also keep your feet planted firmly on the ground.
My sweet Mia. My big girl. Happy one year with us. I know I'll never do anything in this lifetime as important as being your mom. And that's the absolute greatest gift you've given me. I'll never be able to say thank you enough.
With all of my heart,
Mom
Monday, March 2, 2015
Friday, October 17, 2014
Baby Product Review: Brentwood High Chair by Summer
Back when I was pregnant, I signed up for each and every product review site I could find. I've been very lucky to have gotten to test many products for the tiny one. Most recently, I received the Brentwood High Chair. It came at the perfect time!
We had already had a high chair, but with the little one being so tiny, she tended to slump. In fact, it's pretty hard to find any gear for a child her age that gives enough support to the children who may be a bit on the smaller side. I was pretty sure all chairs were the same, but we were wrong.
The Brentwood won me over instantly since there's a 5-point harness. I know it sounds strange, but that's my favorite feature by far. I was always so scared that Mia was going to launch herself right out of the chair. Now, no launching. She's secure, which is fabulous.
It's also got 2 different trays - a smaller snack tray that stays in place, and a larger "dinner" tray that is removable. When you're not using the dinner tray, it slides onto the holder on the backside of the chair.
Here's the kicker. The chair is...pretty. I know, right? Good looking baby gear?! Apparently, it can be a real thing!! This chair is wood and has beautiful curved lines. It looks like a peice of modern art that you can sit on. We were given the Teal cover, so the color actually ends up matching our decor (well, the decor we had before the house was filled with bright baby gear and toys!)
Here's the bottom line. I'm not about looks, per se. I need something functional. But this baby has both. It's perfect for my little monkey, and it looks like it belongs at the table. If you're in the market for a high chair, remember that they're not all made equally - and definitely consider the Brentwood!
We had already had a high chair, but with the little one being so tiny, she tended to slump. In fact, it's pretty hard to find any gear for a child her age that gives enough support to the children who may be a bit on the smaller side. I was pretty sure all chairs were the same, but we were wrong.
The Brentwood won me over instantly since there's a 5-point harness. I know it sounds strange, but that's my favorite feature by far. I was always so scared that Mia was going to launch herself right out of the chair. Now, no launching. She's secure, which is fabulous.
It's also got 2 different trays - a smaller snack tray that stays in place, and a larger "dinner" tray that is removable. When you're not using the dinner tray, it slides onto the holder on the backside of the chair.
Here's the kicker. The chair is...pretty. I know, right? Good looking baby gear?! Apparently, it can be a real thing!! This chair is wood and has beautiful curved lines. It looks like a peice of modern art that you can sit on. We were given the Teal cover, so the color actually ends up matching our decor (well, the decor we had before the house was filled with bright baby gear and toys!)
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole
Well, the stomach flu is in full effect here in the house. Hubby is sick with the regular flu, and Mia has some sort of bug. We're all a real barrel of monkeys at this point. Now, when the mere thought of food makes you want to run to the restroom, you've gotta make sure that whatever you eat is going to hit the spot (and still be light enough to keep you from...well, you know.)
Enter Chicken and Rice Casserole.
My mom has been making this for me since I was a wee one. Every time I've had an upset stomach, she's made this for me, and it's helped me feel better. It's actually the recipe of my Aunt's mother in law. It's seriously delicious.
So, I present to you, Chicken and Rice Casserole:
Mrs. Rawlings' Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine chicken, broth, rice, better and seasoning into casserole dish. Stir well. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for a few moments before serving. Enjoy!
Hopefully you and your family find this as comforting and delicious as I do! :)
Enter Chicken and Rice Casserole.
My mom has been making this for me since I was a wee one. Every time I've had an upset stomach, she's made this for me, and it's helped me feel better. It's actually the recipe of my Aunt's mother in law. It's seriously delicious.
So, I present to you, Chicken and Rice Casserole:
Mrs. Rawlings' Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2-3 chicken breasts, but into bite size pieces
- 2.5 cups of chicken broth (or stock)
- 1.5 cups of rice (I use Uncle Ben's)
- 4 Tablespoons of butter, separated
- 2 tablespoons Parsley
- 1/8 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Celery Salt
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Salt
- (Optional) 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine chicken, broth, rice, better and seasoning into casserole dish. Stir well. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for a few moments before serving. Enjoy!
Hopefully you and your family find this as comforting and delicious as I do! :)
Monday, October 6, 2014
State of the Household: 7 months
We also took some pictures of her for a 6 month shoot. She's growing like a weed, so we wanted to capture her at this age. No posing or staging - just her. I think we did a pretty good job :).
I'm not sure I want to meet the person who could say "no" to that face. ;)
In Disney news, we lost some of our favorite attractions this month. Malestrom and Studio Backlot Tour have both gone belly up, with the former being replaced by a Frozen-themed ride. Now folks, you know I love me some Frozen. I really do. I've yet to "Let It Go" and insist on singing it anytime I can fit it into polite (or even impolite) conversation. But I feel like this reimagination of this ride needs to be handled differently than your average ride. Epcot is a different park. The World Showcase is truly an introduction to other countries and cultures. While the characters do meet and greets in their various countries of origin, fitting a ride to a movie isn't the norm there. It's my hope that we can maintain the general idea of the Malestrom and simply incorporate some of the characters of Frozen. I hope they talk about the beauty of Norway so that the ride fits the mold. We shall see.
And BST? Well, I'm just not sure what's happening there. Rumors state that they're making way for the expansion of the Pixar portion of the park, and some have pointed to an entirely new Star Wars Land (SWOON). But I'm not sure anything has been confirmed at this point. While I was never the kind to run to the Tour, I did enjoy it. And I actually enjoyed the costuming portion more than the different props and scenes. I may be in the minority there. :) I hope Disney does something special with that area. DHS is too small to have such a large portion of the park empty!
And while we're talking about DHS - Frozen has made it's mark there as well! The Frozen Summer Series has been extended indefinitely, but it's taking on a different name. You'll still be able to enjoy Sing Alongs, Wandering Oken's Sauna and the stage shows through at the holidays. Chances are, we'll be singing a lot more of Elsa, Anna, Olaf and the rest of the crew!
It's been a crazy ride these past few months, and if you've managed to follow along, you deserve some kind of medal. I don't have a medal to give you, but you should at least give yourself a pat on the back. I've got some yummy recipes that I'll be posting soon, so be sure to check back for updates on me, Disney and deliciousness!
And while we're talking about DHS - Frozen has made it's mark there as well! The Frozen Summer Series has been extended indefinitely, but it's taking on a different name. You'll still be able to enjoy Sing Alongs, Wandering Oken's Sauna and the stage shows through at the holidays. Chances are, we'll be singing a lot more of Elsa, Anna, Olaf and the rest of the crew!
It's been a crazy ride these past few months, and if you've managed to follow along, you deserve some kind of medal. I don't have a medal to give you, but you should at least give yourself a pat on the back. I've got some yummy recipes that I'll be posting soon, so be sure to check back for updates on me, Disney and deliciousness!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Thoughts on Chronic Pain
So if you weren't aware, September is Chronic Pain Awareness Month. I'll be honest, I didn't even know. But I figure as long as I know now, it's worked, right? I've been working REALLY hard lately to not focus on my pain and instead put everything I can into my daughter. It's really difficult sometimes, but I don't really want to go down that rabbit hole, so I do what I can to almost deny the pain. Let's be honest though, it's not really that simple. So, in honor of Chronic Pain Awareness Month, here are my thoughts.
It struck me today. I can't remember a time in recent memory that I haven't woken up in horrendous pain, and gone to bed worse. Everything from sitting to breathing hurts. Imagine that for a second. Literally every single part of your body feeling like it was on fire 24/7. I'm not being dramatic. I'm not making a mountain out of a mole hill. I'm being completely honest. Non-stop burning pain. Now, every time you move, think about what that pain would do. Think about the fabric of your shirt or pants rubbing against your super sensitive , burning skin. Sounds awful, right?
Now take a second and think about the things you do during the day. You wake up, roll out of bed and head to the restroom to brush your hair and teeth before jumping into the shower. Maybe you already have your work clothes set up for the day (way to go, by the way!), or maybe you spend 5 minutes in your closet looking through everything to find something cute. You run out the door, commute, work all day, come home, eat, maybe watching some TV on the couch, then head to bed. Not a bad little day, I'd say. But let me take you though what my brain does in the same scenario above.
Wake up: Oh my God. Everything hurts. I know I didn't run a marathon yesterday, why does it hurt so much more today?
Get to the restroom to brush my hair and teeth: Use the hallway bathroom since it's been remodeled to accommodate me. Things have to be at the perfect height so I can properly use them.
Take a shower: Use the shower seat. You can't stand too long without your legs swelling up and bruising like crazy. Don't let people see those legs! And be REALLY careful about shaving your legs. Even the tiniest touch of the razor can send you into a days-long flare up. No one wants that.
Get ready for work: Go into closet and PRAY for something comfortable and that won't rub your skin too hard during the day. Layer up (even in 100 degree weather!) because you don't want anyone to see your bruised legs, the leg braces, or bright red arms.
Get baby ready: She has no clue that you're in pain, and it's your job to keep that going. Give her as much love and cuddles you can. She pinches you or accidentally kicks you. Do your best not to cry. She doesn't understand, and she certainly didn't mean to hurt you. Hug her and kiss her. She needs your smiles.
Commute to work: Use the car that wont hurt as bad. Got a vehicle specifically based off whether or not you're able to easily get in and out and the position you'll be in for the next 45 minutes as you drive into work. Pray there's not much traffic, otherwise you'll be in too much pain before the day even starts.
Work: Spend your day sitting/standing/bending/walking - depending on what you'll be doing that day. Hope to God nothing comes up during the day that you'll have to explain to someone why you can't physically lift or walk anything.They have no idea what my illness means, so explaining it would open a can of worms I'm not ready to open.
Drive home: See commute to work (and add the pain of the work day on top of it)
Make dinner: Luckily, I have an amazing husband who gets off work 2 hours before I do. He's picked the baby up from day care and is already working on thawing dinner (which I have already made and frozen during the weekend in anticipation of the pain of the week.)
Watch TV: Maybe watch a few of my favorite shows while balancing playing with the baby and crawling on the floor. Don't sit in the recliner - you don't have the leg strength to push it back in.
Head to bed: Take all 4 of your medications before bed because they all make you loopy. Try to sleep through it. Get into the bed that was purchased specifically with your illness in mind. The bed cannot be too high or too low. The mattress supports your back and legs as best they can. No coil springs - they can't support the back without poking it and sending you into a flare-up!
Complicated, huh? I pre-plan pretty much everything. No suprises. Every single thing I do effects my pain and therefore the energy I need to get through it. Everything from cooking finners all weekend and freezing them so I don't have to cook on weeknights, as well as making my daughter's bottles for the following day (with the use of my Baby Brezza Formula Pro, which is a Godsend and worth every single penny!) is completely planned. Anything from having to go out in the evening to having someone stop by even for a few minutes takes lots of planning.
Now, as much as I hate this for myself, imagine how my husband must feel. He never complains. Ever. I tell him what I'm feeling (sometimes) and he simply supports me in any way. No questioning me, no telling me to pull more weight. But we don't go anywhere. We don't do anything during the week. Every single thing we do is planned. I can imagine what looks like organization and helpfulness to me, might look like a cage to him. He says it's good and he's totally fine with it, but would he tell me if he didn't? I don't know. I imagine he thinks it would hurt my feelings, so he's too hesitant to say.
That, my friends, is chronic pain. I don't even bother taking pain medication anymore. It doesn't work, and it makes me sick anyway. The medications I'm on are MUCH more serious (which means they're hell on my liver!).
But the amazing thing about all of this, is that I have a much more mild case than many. I can still walk. I can still take medications to help ease the pain. Many with RSD/CRPS are not that lucky. So, as dramatic as all of this may seem, there are folks out there who would be happy to have my pain level. It might even be a relief to them. And that saddens me more than you know.
The research is still new, but there's a possibility that RSD can be passed from mother to child. Every single day I obsess as I watch my extremely active baby and question whether or not I see signs of RSD. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, so I can't eve imagine what I would do if we found out Mia had this, Ugh, I can't even think about it.
If it wasn't for the funny way I walk, or the leg braces, you probably wouldn't even know I had a chronic pain disorder. You can't see the nerve damage, or the muscle weakness. You can't see my heart problems or see my bones changing. Maybe down the road you will, but I'm going to do everything in power to have you see me as normal as possible.
That's it, folks. It's a long road. It's a scary one. I'm lucky enough to have super awesome people in my corner to help lift me up when I need it. But I wanted to share this with all of you. Please take a good long think about it before you mentally label someone or assume they're exaggerating. I can't speak for other pain disorders, but I can tell you we'd give anything to make this stop. There's no cure, and research is slow. Most people don't know this disease exists, or that it's the #1 ranked pain on the McGill Pain Scale. That tops birth with no drugs, or having a digit amputated without being knocked out. Every. Single. Minute. Forever. Dude, that's hell.
So, take a moment and think about the people you know and love. If you know someone struggles with pain, send them a message of encouragement or simply tell them you understand if they can't meet you for dinner or cocktails. Pain can do funny things to you, and the more positive people you surround yourself with, the happier your soul will feel. :)
It struck me today. I can't remember a time in recent memory that I haven't woken up in horrendous pain, and gone to bed worse. Everything from sitting to breathing hurts. Imagine that for a second. Literally every single part of your body feeling like it was on fire 24/7. I'm not being dramatic. I'm not making a mountain out of a mole hill. I'm being completely honest. Non-stop burning pain. Now, every time you move, think about what that pain would do. Think about the fabric of your shirt or pants rubbing against your super sensitive , burning skin. Sounds awful, right?
Now take a second and think about the things you do during the day. You wake up, roll out of bed and head to the restroom to brush your hair and teeth before jumping into the shower. Maybe you already have your work clothes set up for the day (way to go, by the way!), or maybe you spend 5 minutes in your closet looking through everything to find something cute. You run out the door, commute, work all day, come home, eat, maybe watching some TV on the couch, then head to bed. Not a bad little day, I'd say. But let me take you though what my brain does in the same scenario above.
Wake up: Oh my God. Everything hurts. I know I didn't run a marathon yesterday, why does it hurt so much more today?
Get to the restroom to brush my hair and teeth: Use the hallway bathroom since it's been remodeled to accommodate me. Things have to be at the perfect height so I can properly use them.
Take a shower: Use the shower seat. You can't stand too long without your legs swelling up and bruising like crazy. Don't let people see those legs! And be REALLY careful about shaving your legs. Even the tiniest touch of the razor can send you into a days-long flare up. No one wants that.
Get ready for work: Go into closet and PRAY for something comfortable and that won't rub your skin too hard during the day. Layer up (even in 100 degree weather!) because you don't want anyone to see your bruised legs, the leg braces, or bright red arms.
Get baby ready: She has no clue that you're in pain, and it's your job to keep that going. Give her as much love and cuddles you can. She pinches you or accidentally kicks you. Do your best not to cry. She doesn't understand, and she certainly didn't mean to hurt you. Hug her and kiss her. She needs your smiles.
Commute to work: Use the car that wont hurt as bad. Got a vehicle specifically based off whether or not you're able to easily get in and out and the position you'll be in for the next 45 minutes as you drive into work. Pray there's not much traffic, otherwise you'll be in too much pain before the day even starts.
Work: Spend your day sitting/standing/bending/walking - depending on what you'll be doing that day. Hope to God nothing comes up during the day that you'll have to explain to someone why you can't physically lift or walk anything.They have no idea what my illness means, so explaining it would open a can of worms I'm not ready to open.
Drive home: See commute to work (and add the pain of the work day on top of it)
Make dinner: Luckily, I have an amazing husband who gets off work 2 hours before I do. He's picked the baby up from day care and is already working on thawing dinner (which I have already made and frozen during the weekend in anticipation of the pain of the week.)
Watch TV: Maybe watch a few of my favorite shows while balancing playing with the baby and crawling on the floor. Don't sit in the recliner - you don't have the leg strength to push it back in.
Head to bed: Take all 4 of your medications before bed because they all make you loopy. Try to sleep through it. Get into the bed that was purchased specifically with your illness in mind. The bed cannot be too high or too low. The mattress supports your back and legs as best they can. No coil springs - they can't support the back without poking it and sending you into a flare-up!
Complicated, huh? I pre-plan pretty much everything. No suprises. Every single thing I do effects my pain and therefore the energy I need to get through it. Everything from cooking finners all weekend and freezing them so I don't have to cook on weeknights, as well as making my daughter's bottles for the following day (with the use of my Baby Brezza Formula Pro, which is a Godsend and worth every single penny!) is completely planned. Anything from having to go out in the evening to having someone stop by even for a few minutes takes lots of planning.
Now, as much as I hate this for myself, imagine how my husband must feel. He never complains. Ever. I tell him what I'm feeling (sometimes) and he simply supports me in any way. No questioning me, no telling me to pull more weight. But we don't go anywhere. We don't do anything during the week. Every single thing we do is planned. I can imagine what looks like organization and helpfulness to me, might look like a cage to him. He says it's good and he's totally fine with it, but would he tell me if he didn't? I don't know. I imagine he thinks it would hurt my feelings, so he's too hesitant to say.
That, my friends, is chronic pain. I don't even bother taking pain medication anymore. It doesn't work, and it makes me sick anyway. The medications I'm on are MUCH more serious (which means they're hell on my liver!).
But the amazing thing about all of this, is that I have a much more mild case than many. I can still walk. I can still take medications to help ease the pain. Many with RSD/CRPS are not that lucky. So, as dramatic as all of this may seem, there are folks out there who would be happy to have my pain level. It might even be a relief to them. And that saddens me more than you know.
The research is still new, but there's a possibility that RSD can be passed from mother to child. Every single day I obsess as I watch my extremely active baby and question whether or not I see signs of RSD. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, so I can't eve imagine what I would do if we found out Mia had this, Ugh, I can't even think about it.
If it wasn't for the funny way I walk, or the leg braces, you probably wouldn't even know I had a chronic pain disorder. You can't see the nerve damage, or the muscle weakness. You can't see my heart problems or see my bones changing. Maybe down the road you will, but I'm going to do everything in power to have you see me as normal as possible.
That's it, folks. It's a long road. It's a scary one. I'm lucky enough to have super awesome people in my corner to help lift me up when I need it. But I wanted to share this with all of you. Please take a good long think about it before you mentally label someone or assume they're exaggerating. I can't speak for other pain disorders, but I can tell you we'd give anything to make this stop. There's no cure, and research is slow. Most people don't know this disease exists, or that it's the #1 ranked pain on the McGill Pain Scale. That tops birth with no drugs, or having a digit amputated without being knocked out. Every. Single. Minute. Forever. Dude, that's hell.
So, take a moment and think about the people you know and love. If you know someone struggles with pain, send them a message of encouragement or simply tell them you understand if they can't meet you for dinner or cocktails. Pain can do funny things to you, and the more positive people you surround yourself with, the happier your soul will feel. :)
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Why I Will Never Win in the Mommy Wars
You've probably heard of this term, yes? The Mommy Wars. Who comes out on top when stacked against other moms. It's like the Hunger games, but way more pretentious. Well, I'm here to tell you right now that it's 100% real, and I lose.
Picture 2 women walking into the pediatrician's office. The first woman looks amazing. She's worked hard to get her pre-baby body back. Her hair is shiny and styled. Her baby is wearing an outfit that is perfectly coordinated with the bow in her hair. Baby is sitting in a stroller that very obviously cost over $300.
The second woman looks like she just walked out of a tornado. Her hair is an absolute mess. She's wearing yoga pants and an old t-shirt and flip flops. She's still got some of that baby weight around the mid-section. Her baby has a onesie on - no pants. Her stroller is perfectly functional - but obviously not expensive.
Who's the better mom?
If you said either one: you're wrong. There's no comparison.
Here's the deal: I'm more like the second woman than the first. I'm fairly certain there is spit up in my hair. I'm positive there is spit up on my shirt. I can't even trust that I brushed my teeth this morning. But you know what? I don't really care. I'm alive. And doesn't my kid look remarkably well-put together? Good. Because I've put all of my time into her.
Here's the deal. My daughter is formula fed. A boobie never touched this kid's mouth. Sure, it's due to my medical condition, but that shouldn't matter. We use disposable diapers. We don't make our own butt wipes. I don't use expensive boutique clothes, or baby products. I get most of mine from Target. BUT THAT'S OKAY. And to those out there that have a lot of wonderful, expensive things for their babies; or the ones who cloth diaper and make their own wipes or who breastfeed - you guys are awesome too!
I've had people ask 'Is she a good baby?" Ummmm. What? I was unaware there was such a thing as a "bad" baby? What does a good baby do? I have no idea what that question means, but I'm fairly certain you were looking for me to break down and talk about how she keeps me up all night or that she's crying non-stop. Does that make a "bad" baby? Cuz that sounds like a baby to me. Luckily, mine sleeps at night and doesn't cry unless she's hungry. How does she stack up there?
I'm not in a competition. If it makes someone else feel better to be able to point at me and say "Well, I'm a better mom than THAT lady", go for it. Why women do this is beyond me. We're all pretty amazing, so cutting others down to feel superior in this stupid war is just dumb.
I am a good mom. I may not LOOK like it, but I am. I love my daughter more than life itself. She's got clean clothes. She's got a truckload of diapers. She's got safe, comfortable places to sleep. She's got lots of toys and more books than you can shake a stick at. She's going to be smart. I know she is. I can see her taking in the world every single day and discovering new things. And I'm proud of her. You have no idea. But does that make her better than others? No. Because every child is amazing - just like every parent is amazing.
So don't bother. If you were planning on comparing notes, you'll want to look elsewhere. I have no freaking clue what I'm doing. But I know I'm doing what works for MY baby. I consult my pediatrician (who I love) and we make the decisions based off of her suggestions. Something that may have worked for our parents or grandparents may not work for us.
Maybe that's what the Mommy Wars are really about. Maybe we're all so lost in this parenting thing that pretending we're doing it better than someone else helps us feel like we're doing something right. None of us knows what we're doing. We're all making this up as we go along. We have some guidelines, sure. Anyone who claims differently is lying. Instead of comparing ourselves to each other - let's look at our kids. Are they loved? Are they fed? Are they clothed? Are they safe? If so, then you're absolutely doing something right.
So to any mom; past, present or future who may be reading this: you're awesome. Now, go get some cookies or cake and spoil yourself. Happy early Mother's Day!
Picture 2 women walking into the pediatrician's office. The first woman looks amazing. She's worked hard to get her pre-baby body back. Her hair is shiny and styled. Her baby is wearing an outfit that is perfectly coordinated with the bow in her hair. Baby is sitting in a stroller that very obviously cost over $300.
The second woman looks like she just walked out of a tornado. Her hair is an absolute mess. She's wearing yoga pants and an old t-shirt and flip flops. She's still got some of that baby weight around the mid-section. Her baby has a onesie on - no pants. Her stroller is perfectly functional - but obviously not expensive.
Who's the better mom?
If you said either one: you're wrong. There's no comparison.
Here's the deal: I'm more like the second woman than the first. I'm fairly certain there is spit up in my hair. I'm positive there is spit up on my shirt. I can't even trust that I brushed my teeth this morning. But you know what? I don't really care. I'm alive. And doesn't my kid look remarkably well-put together? Good. Because I've put all of my time into her.
Here's the deal. My daughter is formula fed. A boobie never touched this kid's mouth. Sure, it's due to my medical condition, but that shouldn't matter. We use disposable diapers. We don't make our own butt wipes. I don't use expensive boutique clothes, or baby products. I get most of mine from Target. BUT THAT'S OKAY. And to those out there that have a lot of wonderful, expensive things for their babies; or the ones who cloth diaper and make their own wipes or who breastfeed - you guys are awesome too!
I've had people ask 'Is she a good baby?" Ummmm. What? I was unaware there was such a thing as a "bad" baby? What does a good baby do? I have no idea what that question means, but I'm fairly certain you were looking for me to break down and talk about how she keeps me up all night or that she's crying non-stop. Does that make a "bad" baby? Cuz that sounds like a baby to me. Luckily, mine sleeps at night and doesn't cry unless she's hungry. How does she stack up there?
I'm not in a competition. If it makes someone else feel better to be able to point at me and say "Well, I'm a better mom than THAT lady", go for it. Why women do this is beyond me. We're all pretty amazing, so cutting others down to feel superior in this stupid war is just dumb.
I am a good mom. I may not LOOK like it, but I am. I love my daughter more than life itself. She's got clean clothes. She's got a truckload of diapers. She's got safe, comfortable places to sleep. She's got lots of toys and more books than you can shake a stick at. She's going to be smart. I know she is. I can see her taking in the world every single day and discovering new things. And I'm proud of her. You have no idea. But does that make her better than others? No. Because every child is amazing - just like every parent is amazing.
So don't bother. If you were planning on comparing notes, you'll want to look elsewhere. I have no freaking clue what I'm doing. But I know I'm doing what works for MY baby. I consult my pediatrician (who I love) and we make the decisions based off of her suggestions. Something that may have worked for our parents or grandparents may not work for us.
Maybe that's what the Mommy Wars are really about. Maybe we're all so lost in this parenting thing that pretending we're doing it better than someone else helps us feel like we're doing something right. None of us knows what we're doing. We're all making this up as we go along. We have some guidelines, sure. Anyone who claims differently is lying. Instead of comparing ourselves to each other - let's look at our kids. Are they loved? Are they fed? Are they clothed? Are they safe? If so, then you're absolutely doing something right.
So to any mom; past, present or future who may be reading this: you're awesome. Now, go get some cookies or cake and spoil yourself. Happy early Mother's Day!
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Baby Products I Love (or How I've Survived the First 6 Weeks of Parenting)
Wowsers! They really aren't exaggerating when they say the first stage of having a baby is a hard one! Between the sleepless nights, the constant feedings and diaper changes and doing your best to take the occasional shower, it's definitely enough to lose your mind! Luckily, there are some pretty awesome products out there that help make life easier. I'm going to share my favorites here.
10. Batteries.
You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. Almost everything that comes into your house for baby has some feature that lights up, plays music or moves. Most of the time, they're powered by batteries. And nothing sucks more than when your baby starts crying because the vibration feature on her sleeper stopped working and woke her up. Stock up while you're still pregnant!
9. A bouncer.
This was pretty high on the "why on Earth would we need that?" list. We had so much baby gear that we figured this was completely un-needed. Nope. Mia wouldn't go in her swing at first and I had no other option other than to hold her constantly. Not practical. Our pediatrician suggested a bouncer to help her have a place to go when I can't hold her. We ended up buying the Ingenuity Gentle Automatic Bouncer. It's awesome! She doesn't like being in it for too long, but it's long enough for a short shower, or dinner, or a quick run to the restroom!
8. Anything washable.
We learned this lesson well. Luckily, all of our baby gear is washable. Mia had an absolutely epic blowout in the above mentioned bouncer. Not a problem! Change the baby, then throw the fabric into the washing machine. Everything came out and looks brand new!
7. Pampers Diapers.
We've used a little bit of everything: Huggies, Pampers, Luvs and store brand. Pampers have us hooked! The inside is nice and quilted and helps lock in messes so much better than the others in our opinion. They're soft, quilted, and super absorbent. These are our favorite for sure!
(PS- Be sure to sign up for the Rewards Programs with Pampers and/or Huggies! You earn points with each product you purchase.)
6. Free and Clear Laundry Detergent.
My poor daughter has inherited her mother's incredibly sensitive skin. Even if you're not ghostly white and break out with the smallest amount of dye or perfume, all babies have sensitive skin. At first we did the typical Dreft detergent, but the scent (or maybe lack thereof) was pretty gross. It also wasn't getting the formula stains out around baby girl's collar area of her onesies. I finally asked our pediatrician and she told me ANYTHING hypoallergenic or dye/fragrance-free is totally fine. We ended up getting the Target Brand Free and Clear jug and use our Method brand fabric softener. Clothes are clean, soft, smell great and most of all: perfect for baby's skin!
5. A swing.
At first, baby girl was NOT about the swing. Now, we've got a great routine where she spends about a half hour happy as a lightning bug in her swing each morning. It doesn't last much longer than that at this point, but it helps me have enough time in the mornings to wash some bottles, let the dogs out, feed the dogs and maybe even grab a bite to each myself. We have the Fischer Price Moonlight Papasan Swing, and it has options for being battery operated or to plug into the wall. Some of the features include music, lights and a mobile. Mia stares at the mobile the entire time she's in there - well worth it for a happy baby! :) (Also, for what it's worth, the picture makes it look blue. It's absolutely purple. ;))
4. Dr. Brown's Bottles
These bottles worked so well for us! We also love the Playtex Nursers (the ones with the drop in area for the formula) but the Dr. Brown's really help reduce Mia's reflux. No spit up and less fussing during feeding time are worth the higher price.
3. Baby Brezza
This thing has been a Godsend. Since the RSD had spread to my arms and hands, we were concerned that it would make bottle feeding a little harder on me (especially with a baby on my hip!) Enter the Baby Brezza. It's essentially a Kurig for baby formula. Simply place your bottle under the nozzle, select how much you'd like (2 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz. or 10 oz) and the bottle will come out at the perfect temperature with the perfect amount each time. We had people kind of mock us for getting this before Mia was here, but after seeing it in action, they've all said what a fantastic idea it was. It's not cheap - $150, but worth every single penny in our minds. Even if you don't have a medical condition like RSD, I can't tell you how many nights it's helped us when baby's screaming and wants to eat right now. Excellent, excellent product!!
2. Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Deluxe (Emerson)
This was serendipity if I had ever heard of it. I had signed up online for a group that tests baby products during my 3rd trimester. They ask everyone to fill out a number of surveys to determine which people are best for each testing. Some are simply asked for opinions while other people are selected for in-home testing. I was lucky enough to be selected for the latter. This was the product we received.
Now, keep in mind that hubby and I had been praying for sleep for some time. Mia didn't want to sleep unless she was being held, and her bassinet that we had purchased was no good. It was obvious that she was unhappy being so out in the open and each time we tried to swaddle her, she was out in moments. We unboxed this bad boy, put her in it, and within minutes, MINUTES, she was out cold. Hubby and I were in shock. We used it that night to see if it was just a fluke. She slept so well - the only times she would wake up was when she had wiggled out of her swaddle, needed to eat, or needed to be changed.
It's been so fantastic that my parents purchased one to keep at their house as well. Had we not gotten one for free, we would've bought one right away. What a blessing! It's sold exclusively at Babies R Us right now and sells for $69.99. It has a few awesome features like being washable (AWESOME), a vibration function, music/white noise, and a projector that shoots a moon and stars on the ceiling. Mia doesn't care about the last one yet, but it's kinda nice for Hubby and I. This sleeper is also built more like a hammock and keeps the baby much more cozy that your basic sleepers. It's plush and has mesh siding to ensure baby is safe.
Seriously, this has been an amazing addition to our house. If you or someone you know is a new parent or is expecting, this is an awesome gift or registry item.
1. The Miracle Blanket
Remember how I mentioned before that Mia was a bit of a wiggler? She did so perfectly when swaddled, but she was her own worst enemy. She wiggled out every single time. Our pediatrician recommended that we look into the Miracle Blanket. We ended up ordering one online (apparently you can purchase them in stores as well though) and holy moly. Baby girl slept for hours at a time at night. And last night? She slept for 6 hours straight! 6 FREAKING HOURS!!!
This swaddling blanket is different from the others because it has places for little arms. It also wraps around the little one 3 times. No wiggling out of this one!! This is another AMAZING gift for any new or prospective parent out there. It's also pretty darn affordable at $29.99. You can find it at www.miracleblanket.com or Babies R Us.
10. Batteries.
You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. Almost everything that comes into your house for baby has some feature that lights up, plays music or moves. Most of the time, they're powered by batteries. And nothing sucks more than when your baby starts crying because the vibration feature on her sleeper stopped working and woke her up. Stock up while you're still pregnant!
9. A bouncer.
This was pretty high on the "why on Earth would we need that?" list. We had so much baby gear that we figured this was completely un-needed. Nope. Mia wouldn't go in her swing at first and I had no other option other than to hold her constantly. Not practical. Our pediatrician suggested a bouncer to help her have a place to go when I can't hold her. We ended up buying the Ingenuity Gentle Automatic Bouncer. It's awesome! She doesn't like being in it for too long, but it's long enough for a short shower, or dinner, or a quick run to the restroom!
8. Anything washable.
We learned this lesson well. Luckily, all of our baby gear is washable. Mia had an absolutely epic blowout in the above mentioned bouncer. Not a problem! Change the baby, then throw the fabric into the washing machine. Everything came out and looks brand new!
7. Pampers Diapers.
We've used a little bit of everything: Huggies, Pampers, Luvs and store brand. Pampers have us hooked! The inside is nice and quilted and helps lock in messes so much better than the others in our opinion. They're soft, quilted, and super absorbent. These are our favorite for sure!
(PS- Be sure to sign up for the Rewards Programs with Pampers and/or Huggies! You earn points with each product you purchase.)
6. Free and Clear Laundry Detergent.
My poor daughter has inherited her mother's incredibly sensitive skin. Even if you're not ghostly white and break out with the smallest amount of dye or perfume, all babies have sensitive skin. At first we did the typical Dreft detergent, but the scent (or maybe lack thereof) was pretty gross. It also wasn't getting the formula stains out around baby girl's collar area of her onesies. I finally asked our pediatrician and she told me ANYTHING hypoallergenic or dye/fragrance-free is totally fine. We ended up getting the Target Brand Free and Clear jug and use our Method brand fabric softener. Clothes are clean, soft, smell great and most of all: perfect for baby's skin!
5. A swing.
At first, baby girl was NOT about the swing. Now, we've got a great routine where she spends about a half hour happy as a lightning bug in her swing each morning. It doesn't last much longer than that at this point, but it helps me have enough time in the mornings to wash some bottles, let the dogs out, feed the dogs and maybe even grab a bite to each myself. We have the Fischer Price Moonlight Papasan Swing, and it has options for being battery operated or to plug into the wall. Some of the features include music, lights and a mobile. Mia stares at the mobile the entire time she's in there - well worth it for a happy baby! :) (Also, for what it's worth, the picture makes it look blue. It's absolutely purple. ;))
4. Dr. Brown's Bottles
These bottles worked so well for us! We also love the Playtex Nursers (the ones with the drop in area for the formula) but the Dr. Brown's really help reduce Mia's reflux. No spit up and less fussing during feeding time are worth the higher price.
3. Baby Brezza
This thing has been a Godsend. Since the RSD had spread to my arms and hands, we were concerned that it would make bottle feeding a little harder on me (especially with a baby on my hip!) Enter the Baby Brezza. It's essentially a Kurig for baby formula. Simply place your bottle under the nozzle, select how much you'd like (2 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz. or 10 oz) and the bottle will come out at the perfect temperature with the perfect amount each time. We had people kind of mock us for getting this before Mia was here, but after seeing it in action, they've all said what a fantastic idea it was. It's not cheap - $150, but worth every single penny in our minds. Even if you don't have a medical condition like RSD, I can't tell you how many nights it's helped us when baby's screaming and wants to eat right now. Excellent, excellent product!!
2. Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Deluxe (Emerson)
This was serendipity if I had ever heard of it. I had signed up online for a group that tests baby products during my 3rd trimester. They ask everyone to fill out a number of surveys to determine which people are best for each testing. Some are simply asked for opinions while other people are selected for in-home testing. I was lucky enough to be selected for the latter. This was the product we received.
Now, keep in mind that hubby and I had been praying for sleep for some time. Mia didn't want to sleep unless she was being held, and her bassinet that we had purchased was no good. It was obvious that she was unhappy being so out in the open and each time we tried to swaddle her, she was out in moments. We unboxed this bad boy, put her in it, and within minutes, MINUTES, she was out cold. Hubby and I were in shock. We used it that night to see if it was just a fluke. She slept so well - the only times she would wake up was when she had wiggled out of her swaddle, needed to eat, or needed to be changed.
It's been so fantastic that my parents purchased one to keep at their house as well. Had we not gotten one for free, we would've bought one right away. What a blessing! It's sold exclusively at Babies R Us right now and sells for $69.99. It has a few awesome features like being washable (AWESOME), a vibration function, music/white noise, and a projector that shoots a moon and stars on the ceiling. Mia doesn't care about the last one yet, but it's kinda nice for Hubby and I. This sleeper is also built more like a hammock and keeps the baby much more cozy that your basic sleepers. It's plush and has mesh siding to ensure baby is safe.
Seriously, this has been an amazing addition to our house. If you or someone you know is a new parent or is expecting, this is an awesome gift or registry item.
1. The Miracle Blanket
Remember how I mentioned before that Mia was a bit of a wiggler? She did so perfectly when swaddled, but she was her own worst enemy. She wiggled out every single time. Our pediatrician recommended that we look into the Miracle Blanket. We ended up ordering one online (apparently you can purchase them in stores as well though) and holy moly. Baby girl slept for hours at a time at night. And last night? She slept for 6 hours straight! 6 FREAKING HOURS!!!
This swaddling blanket is different from the others because it has places for little arms. It also wraps around the little one 3 times. No wiggling out of this one!! This is another AMAZING gift for any new or prospective parent out there. It's also pretty darn affordable at $29.99. You can find it at www.miracleblanket.com or Babies R Us.
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