Celebration Shoes

What better way to celebrate Mr. Baby's new walking abilities than to buy him...SHOES!

You want to know one really quirky thing about me? I could pretty much care less about shoes for adults (very unladylike of me:) but when it comes to kid shoes, hold me back! I LOVE the things...seriously! I have major issues parting with any of Charlie's baby shoes because they remind me of how sweet and little he once was. I mean he still is but well...you know what I mean.

So anyway, we went to Pay.Less today and they had their usual BOGO sale, which I fell for, exactly as they expected. That's where we got him the sandals and tennies, then I went on an outlet mall shopping trip with my girlfriend this afternoon and she and I found a great deal on the rain boots. Every little person needs rain boots, right?! :)

So there you have it. Little C. is officially hooked up for all the gallivanting we plan to do this summer. These are all size 5 and he currently measures at size 4. I'm hoping they'll fit reasonably well for now and leave him a little room for growth over the next few months.

Baby Wearing

In this wonderful new climate of "attachment parenting," baby wearing parents are everywhere. I too have done my fair share of strapping my baby to my body so I can go about my day without sacrificing my bonding time with the boy. From the time he was tiny, my preference has been to wear him as much as possible. Of course I've always made sure he has ample amounts of floor/free play time too. I'm really talking about wearing him in lieu of leaving him in his car seat or pushing him in the stroller.

When I look back over the past ten months, I see a gentle progression in terms of the various slings and wraps I've tried. Each has had its own unique features and benefits but there is so much to choose from out there that I thought it would be a good idea to share my experiences:

1. Infantimo Slingrider - This is the first sling I tried simply because it's the first sling I bought. Charlie was still tiny and I went to T.arget to see what they had. At the time, this was affordable and seemed handy, I honestly hadn't done a lot of research. I talked a little about my favorite features of the bag-style sling in this post. One of the comments from that post pointed out some potential concerns about this type of baby carrier; however, I will say that we still got a lot of use out of this item and I didn't feel overly concerned. I really liked the fact that Charlie was right there with me and I could easily look down and see him. He was instantly comforted when I put him in the carrier, I think because he could hear my heart beating and feel me breathing. I also liked the fact that he was concealed from nosy people out in public. At the time I was more sensitive to prying eyes and this put me back in control. I could easily go shopping or to a restaurant without having to deal with everyone wanting to touch my baby. We even took C. to a couple of movies in this carrier!

2. Baby Bjorn - Up until last week (see Ergo below) this was my favorite carrier. I would have recommended it to anyone! I actually still love the bjorn but I have found that it's getting harder and harder to carry Charlie as he gets bigger, despite the fact that we haven't reached the weight limit yet. Plus this carrier is less versatile in terms of how you can carry the baby and therefore what types of activities you can perform. Having said that, baby bjorn is one product where you absolutely get what you pay for. The carrier is extremely secure and well made. When I was initially comparison shopping I couldn't understand why the bjorn was twice the price of other seemingly comparable carriers. Then I tried it on. The criss-cross design of the straps across the back really help to distribute the baby's weight evenly. It was more than worth the extra cost given how much more comfortable it was for both me and Charlie. I also like the fact that the baby can be worn either facing out or facing in.

3. Maya Wrap (homemade) - A good friend sent me this hand-made version of the commercially available wrap. While it is beautiful and stylish, it's the wrap with which I've had the least success, hence no picture of it in use. I've used it a few times, once even to walk around the block but I still feel like I need to keep my hand on Charlie while he's in the carrier, which pretty much defeats the purpose of using a sling.






4. Ergo - Last but not least, my new favorite! I've had my eye on this carrier ever since I met a woman with four kids under four at the grocery store several months ago. She stopped to talk to Charlie and we struck up a conversation. She had one baby in the Ergo carrier on her back, another in her arms and the other two in her cart. The Ergo is not cheap, retailing for around $100; however, it is absolutely worth the investment. It's the most versatile carrier I've found, both in terms of the variety of ways you can carry the baby (front, hip and back) and in terms of weight limit (40+ pounds.) It's called the Ergo because it's ergonomically correct for both baby and adult. This carrier is relatively easy to maneuver, although there is a slight learning curve. I definitely think getting Charlie loaded onto my back is more of a feat that the tutorial videos portray. Having said that, I've only been using the carrier for two days and I'm already getting more comfortable with loading the boy in and out. A few of my other favorite features of this carrier are the side-zippered storage pocket, which for short trips, can eliminate the need for a diaper bag; the snap-on hood attachment (pictured below) that can be used as a sun shade or for when the baby falls asleep; the thick, comfortable padded straps; and finally the fact that the entire carrier is made of cloth and there's no hard wire frame like some of the other higher weight limit carriers I've seen.




All in all, my baby wearing endeavors have been quite successful. Now that I've used the Ergo, I'm wishing it had been with us all along. It will be the new carrier I recommend to anyone who asks and I will most likely use mine exclusively if/when we adopt again.

My List of Essentials

OK so we really had to hit the ground running with this whole parenting thing. As many of you know, I had squandered away a few things here and there, but we really hadn't purchased anything significant.

Though I do like the idea, I'm not exactly what you'd call a minimalist mom. Still, I have discovered that you can get by with a lot less baby stuff than the registry check lists would have you believe. Following is my list of the baby gear that I'm pretty sure I couldn't have lived without these past weeks...or at least that I wouldn't have wanted to live without:

Infantimo Sling Rider -

I have absolutely loved the freedom and comfort of knowing that Charlie is right there with me, but still being able to get some things done. Without this little treasure, there's no way I would have been able to do as much picture editing and blogging. I LOVE this, and so does Charlie...we honestly couldn't do without this one!
Miracle Blanket -
Even though our little Houdini still somehow manages to get his hands out, this thing is great for encouraging healthy sleep habits. In fact, I could use one or two more, because our nights are noticeably different when this is dirty.

Vibrating Bassinet -
See photo above...this has been great for us. I have been in no way ready to have Charlie in a different room of the house while we {attempt} to sleep, so this is the perfect solution. This was given to me by my awesome older sister, so I'm not sure where she purchased it...but they are everywhere. Since the world can seem like a big, scary place to babies who have been in the womb for nine months, bassinets offer a peaceful transition between womb and big crib. We love this, especially because it's on wheels and can be easily moved around. As you can see, he sleeps very peacefully in said bassinet. :)

Little Lamb Baby Swing -
This was given to me by my girlfriend from school, Karen. This was an extremely generous gift, and I am so grateful. It is a very cushy little spot for Charlie, and he loves to watch the mobile spin around. I like the fact that it has several different speeds, it can swing both back-and-forth and side-to-side, and it has several different musical themes. This is one of Charlie's favorite places to be when we're not holding him.

Bottle Sterilizer -
Without a dishwasher, this gives me comfort that I'm getting Charlie's bottle nipples really clean. I still have to do a quick wash before sterilizing the nipples, but it's much easier than any other method I could use.
Carseat and Stroller -
These are obvious, I know...but if I could have bought anything before placement, this would have been it!

Changing Table -
Our pediatrician recommended having one consistent place where we change Charlie so that he begins to associate diaper changes (i.e. quality time with us) to one specific place. This was part of the fabulous gift from my family when they decorated our nursery on Charlie's homecoming day...I couldn't have chosen one I liked better if I had been there to pick it out myself. I guess they know me pretty well! This is also great for organization and keeping things clean. I like having everything in one place, and knowing that if Charlie does manage to pee sans diaper, the mess can be easily cleaned up. Changes here and there - on the bed, floor, or couch - while convenient, aren't super friendly to parents...this changing table is also a back saver for us, which is a plus!
Pacifiers -
It sort of goes without saying, but these little gems are definitely necessary! I could see the exception being a mom trying to breastfeed b/c this can interfere with the latching on process, but otherwise these are a definite! The thing that has surprised me though, is how many we need! We lose them all the time, and our dog eats them...so I'm constantly buying new pacifiers when I go to the store.
Nasal Aspirator -
Gross, I know...but truly a must have for a tiny baby. Charlie gets really stuffy, especially when he first wakes up in the morning. This tool makes the job easier and less messy!
Baby Bath Tub -
This is handy because it can be used either in the sink, or in the bathtub. It's also lightweight, and it hangs on the shower rod when not in use. It makes things a little easier when dealing with a slippery newborn...which, regardless of prior experience, can be a pretty daunting occurrence!
Playtex Bottles -
Bottles are obvious, of course...but I have to include them in my list. I chose Playtex drop-ins because they are the closest thing to breast feeding. The bag mimics a deflating breast as baby sucks, which seemed like the next best option to me. I also like that these help prevent colic and excess gas because they're gentler on baby tummies. The convenience of the bags and only having to wash nipples and rings is pretty handy too. I'm even happier now that I've discovered the drop in bags are recyclable.
Diapers -
Another given, and my favorite disposables are either the Huggies Gentle Care, which I thought had a better umbilical cord notch for the newborn days, or Pampers Swaddlers, which are very soft. Both are excellent as far as disposable diapers go. Having said that, we are presently in the process of making a complete switch to cloth diapers. I've done quite a bit of research, and with Karen's help, have decided to go with Bum Genius 3.0 diapers. I received my shipment on Friday, and am currently doing the required pre-washing...I'm sure I'll have more to say about this in future posts.
Enfamil LIPIL Formula -
But of course...food is a must! We "chose" this formula for the simple fact that it was what the hospital was already feeding him, but we have had great results. The Enfamil Family Beginnings program (see link) is a great way to get valuable coupons too!

And that's it for now. I already know there will be a few additions as Charlie gets older, such as the Bumbo seat, which was one of my first baby item indulgences, and his Me Too chair, which was an amazing gift from one of my besties, Molly. There is so much STUFF on the market out there, and I think a great deal of it is just plain unnecessary. What are your favorite items/gifts, and what have you found to be a must-have? Or if you're currently waiting, what are you most eager to try on your little one when the time comes?

Wall Murals

I've had thoughts of nursery decoration tucked in the back corner of my mind for a while now, and I recently found a pretty cool resource for DIY wall murals. Trace Designs is a business run by a talented SAHM who has found a great way to help us non-painterly types be able to create our own wall murals in only a few simple steps.

I've always wanted to paint a wall mural for our nursery, but the idea of how to do it and actually do a good job is a little bit of a different story. I'm actually quite creative, and I've got a lot of creative talent in my family, but this task still seems daunting when I think about doing it from scratch. When my niece was born a couple of years ago, I thought of giving my sister the gift of a wall mural for her nursery. However, when I looked up a local artist to see how much she would charge to paint a custom mural, the price (almost $1,000) was way outside my range. I wish I had known about Trace Designs back then! At only ~ $40.00 plus the cost of paint and supplies, this is a much more affordable option!

I've been looking around the site for a day or two, and I'm still not certain which of the designs I like best. The gender neutral thing is still an issue, but that's going to be an issue no matter what I choose to do. For now I'm just sitting on the idea and thinking about how Trace Designe might fit into my grand scheme of ideas...thought I'd pass it along!

Breast Pump Politics

I listened to an interesting story on NPR yesterday about the politics surrounding breast pumps. As a PAP, I have thought so many times about the possibility of trying to breast feed. I'll be honest that while I haven't made a firm decision yet, I am leaning towards bottle feeding. Listening to some of the women who called in as they discussed how unhappy they were about having "spent their baby's infancy with the pump" really made me think. I have always thought I would breast feed my baby. Pre-infertility that was a given for me, a natural image that came along with my ideas of motherhood. It has been one of the most difficult ideals for me to release amongst all the others. Some may not understand, but this is a loss I have had to grieve. So that's why, when I heard about it, I thought for sure I would try adoptive breast feeding. The more I learn about trying to enduce lactation though, the more I'm just not sure. I think it's a very personal decision, and one I still have to think about. Having said that, I think I learned a lot from the women who called in for this story. If nothing else, it got me thinking and that's always a good thing!

Me...with a baby registry?

YEP! We did it, we went to BRU and registered yesterday. I have to be honest, I share many of Rebekah's thoughts on the awkwardness of this experience, but I'm still glad we went. The conversation with the registry clerk was only slightly odd. She was very nice and good at her job, details and all. I felt comforted by the fact that adoption was listed on the paperwork, that was an affirmation of sorts. The weirdest part was when we had to make up an "expected arrival" date because the computer won't accept a TBD date. I chose April '09 out of the blue, and then she had to give us the schpeel about how registering early can mean you'll have to make more updates because products change... The thing is...we're NOT registering early! We're not registering early and we're not registering late, we're just registering since we have no idea WHEN our baby will make his/her grand entrance. They really should have a way to leave the arrival date pending for people like us! I don't want to spend too much time reiterating the thoughts from my previous post, but did I mention I am VERY frustrated by all the unknowns of this waiting process? The only other weird thing was all the VERY pregnant women we were sharing the aisles with. Pregnant women don't bother me anymore, they honestly don't...but it was a little odd to look around and realize I was the only one without a huge bump in front.

All that aside, I DID manage to convince hubby to park in the "expectant mothers" stork parking spot, even though he was reluctant at first. I told him you guys would all be mad at me if I didn't park there since we've sort of made a point of it and all. hehe...so here's a photo that might make you smile, I couldn't resist:


We did pretty good up until the bedding section, which was problematic because there was honestly nothing there that either one of us really loved...plus if I'm being honest, I still sort of have my heart set on a round baby bed, even though husband doesn't get my fascination with them at all. We'll see what happens! I'm sure I'll add to our list off and on, especially once we learn more about who/when our baby will be, but for now we've got the basics on our list, and I feel slightly more like a real expectant mother, if only slightly!

Surreal

"Mom-to-be" technically does describe me, but somehow I can't really feel it yet. I've tried to buy things in stores--nothing major, just small things, and I can't do it yet. I want to feel like a real mom-to-be, but it all seems unreal at this point. Am I destined to be unprepared for new baby days, or will this eventually wear off? Unprepared is a term I use lightly anyway, because the only things I will rally need are a car seat, diapers, and food, but...well you guys know what I mean. Nursery ready and waiting. I thought I had made peace with that, with the idea that we would buy a car seat, register for everything else, and then just wait, but now I'm having second thoughts. There would be something comforting about having a room all set up and ready to go when THE time comes. Yet I'm still a little bothered by the idea of that room sitting there empty for who knows how long.

I guess it comes down to how long we've waited for this phase of our lives. I've already spent so much time dreaming and hoping and planning for our baby in my head and in my heart, that now when I actually do have something to plan for, it seems like I should be waking up to reality at any moment. Why can't I allow myself to believe we're really going to be parents? I guess this is just a defense mechanism...some subconscious attempt of my mind to protect my heart? I really don't get it. I expected to be (and was at first) on top of the world where all this is concerned, but now I'm just doing nothing in regards to our "paper pregnancy," which is unnerving. Literally I am W.A.I.T.I.N.G. and it's already getting pretty old. I want to do and dream and create.

I can't help but feel that if I were really pregnant I wouldn't be feeling this way. There, I said it. That's what's REALLY bugging me. Even though I have long since given up the idea--or even the desire of--a physical pregnancy, I guess I have this notion that if my body was changing I would be more able to believe in the reality of impending motherhood.

I am a planner, I like to have all my ducks in a row. Where school is concerned, for example, I can't stand unknowns and not having everything neat and organized. Just this week I had to find a teacher to observe for this coming semester, and until I got that taken care of I literally felt a queezy feeling in the pit of my stomach. The irony of having to wait and basically having to be unprepared--entirely at the mercy of decisions made by other people--when it comes to the most important job I will ever do (motherhood) is not lost on me. Clearly there is some lesson...some discipline for me in this, but what? How am I supposed to react or behave? I have no clue, but one thing I do know is that my own indifferent reaction to all this really and truly is driving me crazy!