Bling, Baby!!

Did you ever put on a necklace and find yourself fighting off your baby to keep their pudgy little fingers from ripping it right off your neck?  I bet you have.  Or maybe you just stopped wearing jewelry all together.  I went through a phase of that.  It just wasn't worth the annoyance to wear it!  No longer!  Enter teething bling by SmartMom jewelry.  These look like real stone jewelry, but they are food grade silicone that is non-toxic, phthalate, BPA, PVC and lead free and is meant for your little one to chew on.  No more searching for your teething toys in the deep, dark cavernous diaper bag while your little one alerts the entire planet to their discomfort or boredom.  No more watching in slow motion as the toy falls to the filthy, dirty ground and become off-limits to Grumpy McGummers!  These necklaces and bracelets meld style and function seamlessly.  I've rocked mine since Naomi was only a couple months old and she is a super big fan!  They come in patterns and solids, so there is bound to be something that would work with your wardrobe!  Click on the logo to go to their website.  Things things are a great addition to your arsenal of happy baby tricks!  Seriously!

Take a Seat

Baby products are only glorious to me if they have a well-thought out design and the ability to disappear.  Bonus points are added if they actually look nice around the house.  My head starts spinning around if I can also tote said baby product along with me to make life outside the home more simple.  Enter, the Minui Handy Sitt.  This seat has me selling my Prince Lionheart Booster Pod as well as my Peg Perego  Pappa Prima Diner.

Handy Sitt folds flat, or hangs in a closet when not in use.  It is so easy to take along with you and even has back legs that can be purchased to transform it into a stand-alone seat (think picnics at the park).  It looks gorgeous and comes in several finishes to match your decor.  We decided on the antique and black shown below.  Thirty seconds was all it took to get this seat from the box it came in to attached to our chair with toddler strapped in.  Lawson loves it and I can't wait to sell our old seats to buy a second one for Naomi.  If you are in the market for a booster seat or high chair, check out the Handy Sitt!  This seat makes me happy, happy, happy!!!!

This Little Pear

This is one "pear" of legs that are really enjoying scooting around with a box for a walker. I guess Num Num is done with the bruised knees thanks to crawling around on wood floors. She's moved on to bear crawling and assisted walking as her primary means of transportation. A-PEAR-antly, she's on a mission and is quite pleased with her progress! I, on the other hand, am a wee bit shocked. Seven months old and nearly walking is very different from the 12 months and nearly walking I experienced with Lawson. Naomi, it's cute and wonderful and I'm glad you are so strong, but seriously, feel free to slow. down. a lot. Seriously. Hit the brakes, girl. Please!


While we're on the subject of walkers, may I just say, both she and Lawson preferred using a box. There is an awesome car walker in the house for them, but nine times out of ten, they'd choose the box. I've gotten rid of nearly every large baby contraption in the house because I have been showed time and time again that they simply do not need them. No more big swing, no more travel swing, no more big bouncer and, perhaps, no big baby walker. I do have a new bouncer that I love. But, it can fold flat to be stored and, as a bonus, Lawson can still sit in it. So, parents, give your children boxes. They'll be happy campers and your wallets will thank you. Or, you can just use that money to buy them other things, like a cute pear shirt or cloth diapers, which we are officially back to using. Which, officially, makes me smile.

In the Window

The window had some serious reflection while Lawson was outside playing, so I snapped one of the few shots that exist of me and Naomi. I tried to include Lawson, but there were pine cones to collect and he couldn't be bothered. Naomi was fast asleep a few minutes later. The Ergo gets her every time.

Come See Wee See!!!!

You See!!! Wee See!!! Wee all see Wee See!!!!

I came across this new-ish baby DVD series today and fell in love! It's simple enough that I don't feel like it's going to give Naomi an issue staying focused after watching it and Lawson was maybe even more into the sounds and sights than she was when we previewed it. For those of you with little one's, this is a neat way to entertain them for a few sweet minutes while you attempt a task made easier with two free hands! So, check it out! Oh, and if you really want the full effect, right click on the video and hit "full screen". It's better that way. Enjoy!

wee see - collection one from Rolyn Barthelman on Vimeo.

We Were Stuffed... So They Were Not

Everything was stuffed this holiday season. The stockings, the turkey, our bellies! Well, this year, as a gift to myself, one thing was not stuffed. The diapers!!! Normally, I'm very serious about my cloth diapers. Naomi wore Seventh Generation disposables until her cord fell off and I haven't put another sposie on her or Lawson since. Well, until Christmas. Between staying at other people's houses, packing and traveling up to our house in Washington only to attempt to deal with every item we own, Dustin suggested that I make the switch to disposables temporarily. I dug my heals in, emphatically said, "NO!" and then it sunk in. And it sounded very good. Very, very good. Not that cloth is a pain. It's not at all. In fact, I love it! It makes me happy! BUT, there's a lot going on right now in the way of piles of things to be sorted out and a little thing called life, so one less pile of laundry to deal with every day is a huge help! Lawson thinks it's funny to have "peeper" (paper) covering his buns and Naomi took off crawling within days of the switch thanks to less bulk around her hips. All their pants are now huge in the waist, which is kind of funny, but it has been a good thing for us the past couple weeks.

I am a huge advocate of cloth diapers, but I know when to say when. Like I always say, "it's the little things" and this little switch made a huge difference for me right when I needed it. I'm about ready to jump back into using my fluff stash, but for a few more days, I'm throwing the poop in the trash.

Christmas Boot Loot

Lawson has decided our Christmas stockings are Christmas "boots". I'm rather fond of the term, myself. Even more so when I realized that boot rhymes with loot, which is what the boot is all about anyway! I thought I'd share a little bit of our Christmas boot loot with you all, just in case you are running short on ideas. If any of you have some good ideas, feel free to comment with what you put in your little one's Christmas boots. I know I'm always looking for more loot!

Dwell Studios Books (more titles coming soon... so excited!)

Manhattan Toy Ziggles

Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddling Wrap (you can never have too many)

Manhattan TOy Automoblox mini X9-x

Squish by Boon

Jane by BoonLittle Giraffes Luxe Lovie

Upcoming Giveaway

I'm very excited about this and thought I'd give a heads up that I will be doing a giveaway on my blog very, very soon that may interest those of you with wee one's in your belly or your arms! Stay tuned!!!

Puj Tub

I just thought that all my pregnant peeps and baby mama's should be aware of the giant decrease in price (effective just now) on the Puj baby tub. We're talking a decrease of 60%. This thing is fantastic. I just ordered mine, but have been drooling over it since it's release when I was pregnant at a whopping price of $99. I was hoping to be a reviewer and receive one for free, but alas, was not chosen. So, while I haven't used it before, I'm very excited to be getting mine in the mail soon to use with Naomi for a little while and the next one or two down the road. Just passing on the news to those who may want to grab one for $40. They are only priced this way for a limited time and, of course, there are only so many to go around. I believe my work here is done.... Now head over and check them out!

Ready to Fly the Croup

It's a farm full of yuck-germs around here this week. It started out with a very unwelcome swine and is ending with a barrel of antsy monkeys trying to fly the croup! Lawson got sick all at once on Monday night and by Tuesday was in urgent care, having not had a drop to drink in nearly 24 hours and a fever of 103.3. They didn't test him and didn't seem worried but said that he had the swine flu and should take an anti-viral. So, home again, home again, jiggity jig, with Rx in hand we went. He had a cocktail of the anti-viral, Motrin, gelsemium semp. 30 and oscillococcinum and seemed to get better almost immediately. Tuesday was spent running around playing and coughing and saying "no!" as much as always. The pig seemed to be on it's way off the farm and we were glad!

Eight o'clock rolled around and he went to sleep seeming almost back to normal. Well, two hours later, I found a very different boy in his bed. A barking seal had joined us at the farm and Lawson was not pleased. I didn't like the sound of his cough and wasn't about to risk letting him go all night for this to develop into pneumonia or bronchitis. Off we went to the E.R. to have him checked out. By the time we arrived, his cough was markedly better and had me feeling a little on the silly side for having brought him in. I stuck to my guns though and in we marched. Lawson rode in his stroller and Naomi hung out in my favorite baby carrier, the Balboa Baby. The nurses were laughing that I had babies everywhere, that some people accessorize with jewelry and I accessorized with babies. This had us all laughing, which was nice since Lawson was feeling more than a little uneasy with his "dinosaur mask" on to keep from spreading his germs. The nurse checked him out and thought he sounded fine, then the respiratory specialist checked him over and said the same thing. Then, a seasoned and sassy doctor walked in to give him the once-over before they sent us home. Lawson started crying the second he came in because he knew he was about to be prodded and poked again. Well, the doctor heard him inhale once and said, "he has croup." Which made me feel a little less like an overbearing worry-wart of a mom for bringing him into the E.R. Apparently, the cold and damp air outside on the way to the hospital was a therapy of sorts. The gave him some meds to take down the swelling in his esophagus and we were on our way with a much happier boy.

So, we're not sure if he ever had the swine flu or not now. He may have been misdiagnosed in the first place, or he could have had it and it turned into croup. I'm kind of hoping we got swine flu out of the way and have immunity now! This is starting to sound a bit like Survivor: Sick Farm. Luckily, the barking seal and pig have been voted off the farm and hopefully won't be coming back for the rest of us (though my mom may very well have stolen that barking seal off the farm for herself.) In the mean time, I'm going a little stir-crazy and wish I could fly the croup for a while! Until then, we've got elephant trains and walking lady bugs to keep us company as the rest of the sanitized toys hide out until the coast is clear! And when it is, I'm jumping on that train to chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo my way off the farm to start in on some Holiday shopping!!!

Bob and Bobby

Today, we added to our Bob family. There is Bob, the old standby, and now there is Big Bob. Big Bob just gave me my freedom. I'm talking from sea to shining sea and amber waves of grain kind of freedom, people. Flag hanging from the front porch kind of freedom. I can put both kids in Big Bob and have my entire body to myself for as long as I can push the thing! I may not love the act of running, but running behind Big Bob with two happy kids in it makes me want to run forever. Forest, it's you and me!!! Let's go! Not only did Big Bob give me a new found freedom, he also showed me I am far more out of shape than I ever knew. Today, I ran for the first time in a LONG time. It did not last long. My sweaty, heaving state, however, lasted for quite a while. Naomi's little arms and legs were going the entire time. She's so considerate, trying to run with her mama! Lawson was having a great time as I started out walking, but then I started to run, he was THRILLED. I've hit the jackpot for real! DING DING DING DING!!! We all get fresh air, the kids are happy and I am free and getting in shape. Amen.

Without further ado, here's Bob meeting Big Bob.

And here are the stars on the flag of my new found freedom enjoying their first trip in Big Bob

I plan on chasing Big Bob daily until I've left this mama belly in the dust. Let freedom ring!!!

She Needed a Little "MOBILE"ity

I tend to be pretty selective about the toys I buy for the kids. Birthdays and Christmases yield more presents than Lawson or I know what to do with. I have a theory that kids do better with just a few toys. If I have a few out, Lawson will play with the same toy for a long time. If there are a lot of toys out, he gets them all over the floor and then gets bored because he doesn't even know where to start. Because of that, Naomi has only two toys. Her teether and her little pink cloth doll.



Naomi received her third "toy" last week and finally noticed it today. It's been dangling above her head while she lay in her bed for several days, unnoticed. Finally, she spent a bit of quiet wakeful time beneath it and it caught her eye. Slowly and randomly swirling above her, she saw the shapes and colors for the first time. Her little arms and legs started going and she did her best to take as much of it in as she could. To her, it was magic. And maybe it really was magic. She got magically quiet for an extended period of time and the laundry baskets became magically folded. A worthy addition to her little toy stash, I think. It looks pretty cool suspended in the air. I've been mesmerized by it a few times, myself!

Where the Somewhat Green Grass Grows

After a weekend spent with my mom doing a lot playing around, going to the beach and getting a little Gap shopping trip in, I've been trying to catch up on chores around the house and prepare for my friend to visit next weekend. Days like this, it's important to remember that Lawson is two and gets bored to death watching me do chores all day. So, we headed outside this afternoon to get a little fresh air. Okay, I got a little yard work in at the same time, but he was happy as can be! Actually, it seems that the activity of choice as of late is to ride on the footrest of the stroller as Naomi sleeps in her "rolling bed". I'm sure my neighbors think I'm nuts after watching me do laps around my front yard with my stroller, but I had two happy kids and wasn't about to end a good thing prematurely.

My three kids

Lawson

Naomi

and BOB

After a while, Lawson hopped down to explore a bit and ended up finding a patch of green grass in our dead yard where he picked a big bouquet of weeds and grass. He then presented it to his little sister and she presented him with a great, big grin.

Plotting Prince Charming

Presenting his Bouquet

Waiting for a Reaction

Pleased with Himself

Tickled with the Grass Bouquet... Literally

I'm impressed, Prince Charming. At the tender age of almost "TOE" (we'll work on that later), you've already figured out that a fresh handpicked bouquet is one hot commodity. You know why? Because it is the thought that counts. Most of the time.

I thought about jogging today. I thought about it a lot. But, I checked out my stomach a while ago and the mama belly is still there, so I'm pretty sure that thought didn't count. I'd actually have to strap myself into some running shoes and jog. Which would require a jogging stroller. Which I decided against because I never jog and never want to jog. Until now. Until mama belly didn't disappear without any effort, as planned. So, my much researched and never-used stroller that I still think is awesome, is up for grabs on e-bay and craigslist to make way for the BOB Duallie that is sure to get this belly melted away. Falynn, you were right. I should have gotten this to begin with. Once you've had a BOB, there is no other stroller that can live up to it's greatness. Now, let's see if I can chase this stroller to a washboard belly!!!

Can One Live in a Stroller?

Dear Zooper,

I recently purchased the 2008 Zooper Tango and am having a slight problem, I wondered if you could help me with. I can not get my son OUT of the stroller! I've dealt with not being able to get him INTO a stroller before, but this is a whole new issue! Any suggestions?!

Sincerely,

Stroller Mama





Literally, he played in his new stroller ALL evening after it arrived. Climbing in and out, pulling the canopy down until all you could see were his feet sticking out, and pushing it around the house. He LOVES it! Maybe even more than I do! Which, actually, makes me love it even more and makes for some stiff competition for who loves it more! I think he would stay in this stroller all the time, if he could.

This pleases me!!!!

Double Stroller

I can't even begin to tell you how much time I have spent pouring over reviews and searching for the perfect stroller. I started searching within a week of finding out I was pregnant and have decided upon strollers and changed my mind about a dozen times since then. I even looked in the UK (thanks to Lindsay's dad who offered to bring it over for me on a visit to the states!) but just couldn't make up my mind in time for him to come. I have a single BOB Revolution stroller that I LOVE and that has made this whole search really complicated, as other strollers just don't compare. I didn't necessarily want another big "SUV" type double stroller, but I really wanted big canopies, an easy almost-flat recline and for it to be as light weight as possible. Along the way, I fell in love with the Bumbleride Indie Twin, but really couldn't justify spending $700 on a double stroller. I also liked the functionality of the City Mini Double, but just couldn't get over the resemblance to a cocoon.

If we go on long walks to the park, I'll likely have Naomi in the sling anyway, so I can still use my BOB to put Lawson in. So, pneumatic tires, nice as they are, aren't really a necessity. I mainly need to be able to run my errands and have both kids in the stroller, able to nap (hence the recline and large canopy options being a must). I finally ran across the Zooper Tango last week and decided it was time to commit. They are fazing out the 2008 model over the next few weeks and I was able to find it marked down $130. However, the red version was all that was left at this price. Normally, I go for nuetral colors. Black would be fantastic and will be available on the 2009 version in a few weeks, but would cost me $200 more since there are no significant changes between the models, other than fabric choice. So, red it is. And without further ado, my new Zooper Tango.


Some of my favorite features about this stroller are:

-Only four wheels (unlike many similar strollers that have six)
-The seats go almost flat
-The individual canopies go all the way down to the belly bar
-Individual adjustable foot rests
-Large storage area underneath
-I can use my Britax infant carrier in it when Naomi is tiny
-Really easy fold down
-Stands on it's own when it's folded
-weighs 27lbs (not too shabby for a solid double)

Now I just have to wait for it to get here and see if I love it as much as I think I will. I can always send it back if I don't, but I'm really hoping that my search is over!!!

Air-resistable

Today I ordered the BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance Air from Bed Bath and Beyond (say THAT five times fast!) with the lovely 20% off coupon and I can't wait to get it!!! I have been searching for a really great bouncy chair for Naomi and finally settled on this one. The best part is that it can be used through to age 2, which means Lawson can also sit in it! I pondered some of the more stylish versions, like the Bloom Baby Lounger (DROOL!!!!) but the inability to store it made it kind of obsolete. The Balance Air folds up nearly flat and also has several positions from reclined to upright. I tested it out with Lawson at a local baby store today and the bounce this bouncer has is, well, quite bouncy! It doesn't take much to get this thing rocking, which is going to be great for Naomi while she's still very small. Lawson loved it for the fun factor! I love it because it doesn't look really baby gear-ish and still does what I need it to do for BOTH kids. The added bonus is that it doesn't take batteries and doesn't require any assembly. At all. *Insert happy momma dance here*

Now, onto the double stroller purchase...

Side by Side

Comparison.
Anyone have a forklift? I may need to borrow one soon...

Lalapanzi

Behold the Lalapanzi bed. Lalapanzi is Zulu for "place to sleep" and this will definitely be Naomi's place to sleep. I thought I was going to get a mini co-sleeper to use next to our bed for Naomi. But that was before I discovered this gorgeous travel bed. It's actually an inch longer than the co-sleeper (even Lawson could sleep in it) and can be used up to the first birthday. I can place it on the bed, on the floor or on a pedestal I'm imagining Dustin building for it. Whereever it goes, she will surely be laying in luxury. Oh, yeah! And they come in this adorable MOD print, too.

A Kick in the Pants!

If you haven't already met, please allow me to introduce you to Kicky Pants. Adorable, cozy baby clothes that I count as worthy to cover those cute little bumgenius diapers I'm so excited to put on Naomi. They have a cotton print collection, a bamboo basics collects and the coolest car gadget I've run across in a while, called the Kicky Pants Auto Mobile. Pretty cute stuff, if you ask me!